The Kirkland Arts Center is hoping no mere mortal can resist “Thriller,” as it’s the theme for the eighth annual ARTbeat Benefit Auction and Gala in Bellevue.
“It’s Halloween weekend, and we wanted it to be a fun opportunity for guests to dress up in costume,” Jennifer Gill, KAC development director, said. “‘Thriller’ was a way to have a fun, engaging, celebratory atmosphere.”
The event will include a silent auction, live auction and three-course dinner. The auctions will feature food packages, travel packages and, of course, 55 pieces of art. In fact, bidders will be able to interact with some of the featured artists during the event.
“They can meet the artists, because many of the artists attend and will be near their artwork to talk about the process,” Gill said. “It really is art-focused.”
Some of the featured items in the live auction include pieces by internationally acclaimed glass sculptor Anna Skibska, bronze cast artist Georgia Gerber and painter Michael Dickter.
Of course, it wouldn’t really be a “Thriller”-themed night if there wasn’t dancing. Thrill the World, a “Thriller”-inspired dance group led by Teresa Osborn, will be on hand to do the iconic dance, and attendees will have the opportunity to learn all the right moves.
If the “Thriller” style doesn’t fit in with your wardrobe, no worries. Attendees also can wear any kind of 1980s-themed outfit or general cocktail attire, Gill said.
The annual ARTbeat event is vital for the KAC.
“It’s critical support for us; the event raises a third of our contributed funding,” Gill said, adding the $165,000 raised last year contributed to a variety of the center’s programming, including a summer camp program for 120 Eastside kids and the free curated shows the center displays, including the current “Paper Translations” exhibit. “We wouldn’t be able to offer this if we didn’t have the support.”
This year, the goal is to raise $175,000 from ARTbeat, as Gill said they typically raise $10,000 more each year than they did the previous year.
The ARTbeat Benefit Auction and Gala will be held Oct. 29 at the Westin Bellevue Hotel. Tickets are $150 and include wine, cocktails and appetizers during the silent auction and the three-course dinner during the live auction. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. VIP tickets also are available for $250 and add on a special reception with the artists, early bidding privileges and VIP table seating. The cutoff date for ticket sales is Oct. 17.
To purchase tickets or for more information about the event, including fashion tips, head to kirklandartscenter.org. Tickets also can be purchased by calling 822-7161, ext. 182.
