Santa Paula Art Museum’s Annual Art Auction Fundraiser on Nov. 9 Is Virtual This Year

“Lengthening Shadows, Upper Ojai” by Douglas Shively, oil on Masonite, 30 x 40 inches. Available in the auction. Courtesy image.

SANTA PAULA — For the first time in its ten-year history, the Santa Paula Art Museum’s annual Fine Art Auction Fundraiser will be hosted online this year. Online bidding will open Monday, November 9, 2020, and will close Sunday, November 22, 2020, at 4:00 p.m. The Museum’s annual art auction is the nonprofit organization’s biggest fundraiser each year. All proceeds raised from the event benefit the Santa Paula Art Museum and the thousands of children, families, and adults that the Museum serves through its educational programs every year.

Twenty stunning works of art will be available in the online-only auction, including historical pieces by famous Santa Paula artists Jessie Arms Botke, Cornelis Botke, and Douglas Shively. Artworks have also been donated by some of this region’s most popular contemporary artists: Kevin Gleason, Susan Petty, Gail Pidduck, Anette Power, Patricia Prescott Sueme, and many more. Individuals must preregister to bid online at www.bidsquare.com/auction-house/santa-paula-art-museum.

Untitled by Chris Zambon, oil on panel, 11.5 x 11.5 inches. Available in the auction. Courtesy image.

“While the Museum recently reopened to the public in a limited capacity, we remain unable to host large events like our annual art auction,” says Museum Executive Director Jennifer Heighton. “But we are very excited to offer our auction virtually this year, and to allow people to bid on beautiful artworks from the comfort of their own homes.” Museum supporters can also purchase raffle tickets for a chance to win one of two paintings by historic artist Jessie Arms Botke. Raffle tickets start at $50.00. Raffle tickets can be purchased, and the two raffle paintings can be previewed online at www.santapaulaartmuseum.org/raffle. The Santa Paula Art Museum’s 10th Annual Fine Art Auction is sponsored by Ventura County Community Foundation, Rotary Club of Santa Paula, Bank of the Sierra, and Limoneira.

The Santa Paula Art Museum occupies two historic buildings located at 117 N 10th Street and 123 N 10th Street in downtown Santa Paula. The Museum features rotating exhibitions of vintage and contemporary art, art classes for children and adults, free tours and hands-on art lessons for local schools, monthly Free Family Days, creative community events, and much more. Regular museum hours are Wednesday through Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., and Sunday from 12:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. Regular admission is $4.00 for adults, $3.00 for seniors, and free for students and museum members. Questions? Please contact the Museum by calling (805) 525-5554, or email info@santapaulaartmuseum.org.