By Kathy Chouteau
Richmond’s NIAD Art Center will host “WIN WIN 10,” an annual benefit auction and 40th anniversary celebration as a hybrid online/in-person event Sat. March 5.
The nonprofit aims to raise $40,000 at the benefit to celebrate its 40th year as a progressive art studio that promotes “creative expression, independence, dignity and community integration with disabled adults.” Proceeds from the event will help fund resources for its artists, including art supplies, accessibility upgrades, field trips, studio equipment, Mobile Art Lab, guest artist fees, healthy snacks, special projects and more, said NIAD.
The WIN WIN 10 Silent Auction is currently open for bidding until the day of the live event and a virtual Silent Auction Preview will happen on Zoom from 3-4 p.m. Sat., Feb. 19. Click here to access NIAD’s Online Store, where supporters can RSVP for the Zoom link to the Silent Auction. Aside from bidding on NIAD artists’ works, Silent Auction bidders can opt to support its music studio, accessibility upgrades, guest artist fees and more.
During the March 5 event, from 1-2 p.m. there will be a pre-event Bingo on Zoom during which guests can participate in this beloved NIAD tradition with the artists; from 2-3:30 p.m., the event will transition to a “WIN WIN 10 Welcome,” to include a Live Auction, artist spotlights and the closing of the Silent Auction, all on Zoom; and from 6-8 p.m. there will be an in-person courtyard celebration at NIAD.
The in-person courtyard reception is described by NIAD as “playfully glamorous” event, during which supporters “will celebrate NIAD’s 40th anniversary and raise funds for our creative future.” Guests will be served paella, appetizers and cocktails while enjoying NIAD’s “resident DJ” and a mariachi band.
According to NIAD, more than forty of its artists are featured in the Silent Auction, including: Luis Estrada, Karen May, Jeremy Burleson, Shana Harper, Miguel Chacon, Sylvia Fragoso, Danny Thach, Deatra Colbert, Dorian Reid, and Tre’Von Silva.
The Live Auction will feature “well-known artists in NIAD’s network of supporters” that have donated works. These artists include: Lukaza Branfman-Verissimo, Maria Guzman-Capron, Alicia McCarthy, Sahar Khoury and Janet Moore with NIAD artist Saul Alegria, per NIAD. It added that “several widely-recognized NIAD artists” have also donated their work to the live auction, such as Marlon Mullen, Billy White, Jeremy Burleson and NIAD alum Sam Gant.
NIAD is located at 551 23rd St. in Richmond. Tickets to the event start at $75 per person for general admission. Ticket holders receive an art-inspired party favor pack, as well as a 6×6” canvas created by a NIAD artist. For more info about WIN WIN 10, or to purchase tickets (scroll down the page), click here.
