The South Side Community Art Center (SSCAC) will light up Chicago with a two-night fundraising event to raise funds for the Historic Center. With the theme “Light Up the Night,” the first event, “The Artists’ and Models’ Ball,” will be held on September 8, followed on September 15 by the 53rd Annual Art Auction. Both events will be held at Gallery Guichard, 437 E. 47th St., in the city’s Bronzeville neighborhood. The Artists’ and Models’ Ball will be held from 6:00 p.m. – 11 p.m. and the 53rd Annual Art Auction will be from 7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
The Artists’ and Models’ Ball harkens back to the founding of the center in the late 1930s and will be an evening of art, food and libations, and merriment. Creative, artistic dress is encouraged. During the event attendees will be able to view the art for the SSCAC’s 53rd Annual Juried Art Auction slated for the following weekend, September 15. SSCAC will pre-sent longtime board member Arcilla Stahl with its Herbert Nipson SSCAC Board of Directors Service Award and the Emerging Artist Award will be presented to artist and muralist Rahmaan Statik. Receiving the Dr. Margaret Taylor Goss Burroughs Award will be artist Gerald Griffin.
The program will be followed by a night of dancing and partying with beats provided by Marcel “DJ Cel” Terry! and a special performance by Chicago Fire Dancer, Xerus of Shimmy Soul.
Whether you are a seasoned or new collector, the SSCAC’s Art Auction on September 15 offers the best in traditional, contemporary and modern art from premier Chicago based artists. A portion of all sales from both events benefit the continued operation and programs of the SSCAC, which has been designated a National Treasure by the National Trust for Historic Preservation.
VIP tickets to both events are $150 and include a membership to SSCAC. If sold separately the Artists’ and Models’ Ball ticket is $100 and the ticket for the 53rd Annual Art Auction is $75, both are available on Eventbrite. Funds raised will support the SSCAC’s mission to preserve, conserve and promote the legacy and future of African American art and artists, while educating the community on the value of art and culture. The SSCAC Annual fundraisers also give emerging artists the opportunity to have their works viewed and purchased alongside their nationally and internationally established colleagues.
To learn more about both the Artists’ and Models’ Ball and the 53rd Annual Art Auction visit https://www.eventbrite.com/e/sscac-artists-and-models-ball-and-art-auction-tickets-47249092307?aff=ebd-ssbdestsearch. Follow SSCAC on Social Media using the hashtags #sscac #lightupthenight #sscacauction.
Work featured by Al Hawkins and Sandra Bridges
Raymond Ward’s column will be back next week.
