The University of Maine at Presque Isle Art Club, Studio 923, is bringing back the 12×12 auction, featuring nearly 50 original works on 12-inch by 12-inch canvases just in time for the First Friday Art Walk on April 6. Proceeds from the auction will benefit the Art Club as well as the artists, who will receive a commission from their work unless they choose to donate 100% of the sale price. This event is open to the public and all are invited to attend.

In total, 47 canvases are available for purchase with a minimum bid of $25 increasing in $5 increments. Artwork has been submitted by students, Studio 923 members, faculty, and community members, as well as artists from outside of the County.

The auction will take place on Friday, April 6 at Café Sorpreso, 415 Main Street in Presque Isle, with the silent auction beginning at 8 p.m. and the live auction getting underway at 8:30 p.m. Drinks and hors d’oeuvres will be available for purchase.

Artwork can be previewed at Café Sorpreso or on the Studio 923 Facebook page, where bids can be submitted by selecting ‘photographs’ and choosing the 12×12 Art Auction 2018 Album. Viewers can click on a chosen work to reveal the title and artist’s name and place a bid by writing the desired amount in the comment bar.

UMPI is a long-time contributor to and supporter of the arts in the region; the Art Program, overseen by Associate Professor of Art Hyrum Benson, has hosted and helped with many community fundraisers and events, from Empty Bowls to the Color Presque Isle 5K. Each year, the UMPI Art Club’s fundraising efforts support various museum visits so that students may experience fine art first hand. Studio 923 has a spring tour of Boston’s Art Scene planned, which will be funded in part with proceeds raised by the 12×12 auction and the upcoming annual Trash to Fashion show taking place in April.

For more information about this event, contact Hyrum Benson, UMPI Associate Professor of Art, at hyrum.benson@maine.edu or Arianna Forbes, Studio 923 President, at 227-3226.