McRae Art Studios, a collective of 22 working artists in Central Florida, is welcoming the community into its doors for an annual fundraiser and sale of affordable art during the organization’s 40th anniversary.
The studios’ annual 8×10 sale returns for its 10th year on Saturday, giving visitors the chance to acquire art at a fraction of the usual price by bidding in $25 increments starting at $100. Patrons can browse from a selection of more than 220 paintings, drawings, prints, mixed media and photographs, as well as sculptures and ceramics up to 10 inches.
“A lot of people come to find us and our work through this because it’s the first time they’ve been able to afford an original piece. We get a lot of younger collectors at this because they can get an original piece for under $200,” said Kate Carney, one of the featured artists for this show. “We get a lot of our regulars who know what a good deal it is.”
Beginning at 6:30 p.m., visitors will have the chance to preview artwork in a variety of styles depicting landscapes, florals, faces, still life, abstracts, animals and urban scenes, plus ceramic works.
Shopping begins at 7 p.m. with pieces starting at $100 each. Patrons can bid in increments of $25 up to a maximum bid of $200, or take a piece home immediately for the $200 “buy it now” price. On the night of the show, the studio will hold a free raffle for a “buy it now” gift certificate valued at $200. Guests who bring first-time visitors get a bonus raffle entry.
McRae Art Studios presents its annual 8×10 sale on Aug. 8 while celebrating the studios’ 40th anniversary. (Patrick Connolly/Orlando Sentinel)
The sale ends at 7:45 p.m., at which point high bidders can pay for their new art using a card, check or cash. Flamingo Framing will be on site with a selection of pre-made 8×10 frames available for purchase.
Artists represented in the sale are Cindy Anderson, Stephen Bach, Susan Bach, Donne Bitner, Victor Bokas, Kate Carney, Chris Carr, Janas Smith Durkee, Todd K. Fox, Mimi Hwang, Robb Johnson, Marlene London, Martha Jo Mahoney, Maurizio Maso, Fern Matthews, Brian Miller, Debbie Miller, Carla Poindexter, Robert Ross, Jim Whipple, John Whipple and Lynn Whipple.
McRae Art Studios presents its annual 8×10 sale on Aug. 8 while celebrating the studios’ 40th anniversary. Kate Carney is one of the show’s featured artists. (Patrick Connolly/Orlando Sentinel)
Carney said the sale gives artists a chance to see the evolution of each other’s work as well.
“We don’t often get to see that much of all of our work together and the different styles, and how we’ve evolved all year,” she said. “For us, it’s fun to see each other’s work out there.”
The money raised from the 8×10 sale, McRae’s only fundraiser of the year, is directed toward the studio’s operational costs to keep the space affordable for member artists.
McRae Art Studios presents its annual 8×10 sale on Aug. 8 while celebrating the studios’ 40th anniversary. Patrons can browse from 220 pieces created by the studios’ 22 member artists, all of which are available for $200 or less. (Patrick Connolly/Orlando Sentinel)
This edition of the 8×10 sale is special because it marks the first one under McRae’s new 501(c)(3) nonprofit status.
“For 40 years, McRae Art Studios has been a welcoming space where every artist has a voice and every voice has the power to inspire,” said Mimi Hwang, president of McRae Art Studios, in a news release. “As McRae continues to build its artist collective and community programming, 501(c)(3) status represents an important step for the future toward creating a lasting cultural resource that supports artists, engages the public and contributes to the creative vitality of Central Florida.”
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If you go
The McRae Art Studios 8×10 sale opens for a preview at 6:30 p.m. with shopping beginning at 7 p.m. Aug. 8 at 1000 Arlington St. in Orlando. The event is free to attend and open to the public. Visitors ages 21 and older can also enjoy libations from the donation bar. More information: mcraeartstudios.art