For Immediate Release                                         October 3, 2011
Beverly Schmitz Glass, PhD                               620.276.0891

Having served as a large canvas for local artists, Garden City Downtown Vision is now focusing on the Banner Art Auction 2011 scheduled for Saturday, November 5 at the Clarion Ballroom. The event is sponsored by Martin and Judy Nusser and will feature the original artwork of 19 artists, including two Garden City High School art students.

“This year is our fourth year spotlighting our creative arts community and we wanted to bring it back and open it up to area painters to give them an opportunity to showcase their talent and skill,” said Beverly Schmitz Glass, Downtown Vision executive director. “The Downtown Banner Art program remains an innovative way to showcase the styles and artistic approaches of local and area artisans on banners that are now hanging from selected light posts on Main Street.”

The banners will then be taken down the week of October 17, cleaned, and then hung at the Clarion. On Saturday, November 5, the public is invited to the Banner Art Auction 2011 beginning at 7 p.m. in the Clarion Ballroom. Following a buffet dinner, wine, beer, and cash bar reception from 7 to 8 p.m., a live auction will commence giving art patrons the opportunity to obtain a one-of-a-kind piece of art. A minimum bid of $75 begins each piece with those monies being used to purchase canvasses for next year’s banners. Funds raised above that amount on each piece will be split between the artist and Downtown Vision. Tickets for the event are $30 each.

“As we did last year, we will provide to those who were not successful in obtaining the banner of their choice, the opportunity to order a 24 x 30 poster,” said Glass. “It’s yet another way we can celebrate and acknowledge our vibrant arts community by making those pieces available to those who love original works.”

Nicole Lucas, of Coldwell Banker and Downtown Vision board president, said the Design Committee is always looking for ways to enhance and maintain the core district’s streetscapes.

“It’s a program that continues to grow and has become popular with commercial entities as a way to purchase a banner in support of the fine arts as well as Garden Citians and visitors being able to enjoy the talents of the gifted painters” said Lucas. “We get five or six calls a year from people around the country who have heard about this program and want to replicate it in their communities. The best thing is that it’s a fun evening, supports the arts, and is a venue for up and coming artists as well as seasoned veterans.”

According to Glass, one of the program goals is to add artists and community interest each year. Said Glass, “We want to make this event a draw for residents and visitors alike as art has a universal appeal, regardless of one’s tastes. With the Banner Art program, we literally get people to look up and by doing so, they can also discover the architectural delights found on many of Downtown buildings. And there is certainly beauty and art in that too.”

Artists submitting banner art include Wanda Stallings, Robin Valenzuela, Shane Chapman, Meli Hernandez, Carole Geier, Deb Huber, Jessica Tamayo, Alyssa Cedillo, Valerie Terrazas, Thela Rich, Susan Crase, and Justin Fogelman all of Garden City. Out-of-town artists include; Mary Jane Freelove from Albuquerque, NM, Brent Nuzum, Lawrence, KS, Mallory Wigner, Prairie Village, KS, Judy Scott, Lakin, Janice Baldwin, Ulysses, Tim Adams, Holcomb, and Karen Holliday, Johnson. Cedillo and Terrazas are the GCHS art students.