Lisa Myers Bulmash 4/16/21 Lisa Myers Bulmash 4/16/21

Put a bid on it

Auctioneers astonish and confuse me, but I stand in awe of the bidders. How can they tell what the auctioneer’s even saying? Did I just buy a bridge in Brooklyn or something? Can’t I just bid and pay?

Why, yes, yes you can,… at the Artist Trust online auction. Last time I checked the site, two people were bidding on the collage I donated for this fundraiser. In an ordinary year, the auction is Artist Trust’s main source of funding for grants and other resources artists need. Once the pandemic struck, though, Artist Trust redirected their funds into emergency cash grants for artists. You remember how dire the need was last year, don’t you? Those grants were a lifesaver for some Washington state artists.

*Supporters bid on artworks at the 2019 Artist Trust auction gala. Photo credit: Andre Ruth*

Usually, a live auction follows a silent auction/ cocktail party. But because of pandemic gathering restrictions, the event’s become a month-long silent auction you can attend in your pajamas. If you’re in a position to do so, please find something you like and bid on it now — and keep checking your bid. Remember, no auctioneer this year to tell you if the artwork is yours… and my collage is only going to get more expensive from here on out.

Lisa Myers Bulmash 9/25/20 Lisa Myers Bulmash 9/25/20

Throw us a lifeline: collage in the time of coronavirus

Hoo boy, has it been slow in art news… like running underwater.

*“Overreach” (detail) by Lisa Myers Bulmash*

A little good news, though, thanks to the Northwest Collage Society: An exhibit I juried for them recently opens next week on October 1st! ‘collaging through a pandemic’ is the group’s first completely online show. One perk of judging the show is that I get to share an example of my own work…

*“TODAY, America. Today,” the judge’s entry in ‘collaging through a pandemic’*

But the best part is the opportunity to funnel help to other artists. NWCS will donate its own net funds from the show to the Artist Trust COVID-19 Relief Fund. Plus, NWCS is awarding prizes to a lucky few artist-entrants. Find out who won what in ‘collaging through a pandemic’: you can access the show from October first to December 31st.

Lisa Myers Bulmash 10/4/19 Lisa Myers Bulmash 10/4/19

"The Red List": Do you know the password?

You might get to see “The Red List” exhibit at Ghost Gallery five days before everyone else — at your own pace! — if you follow these steps:

Check your email for the password to access the online preview. (Not on my mailing list? Sign up here.)
I’ll send you the password.
At 12pm today, click on the link to browse the artwork. Take your time before making any decisions… sleep on it if you want.
But don’t take too much time — on Tuesday, October 8th, that’s when the public can access the show online.

The physical exhibit opens October 10th during the Capitol Hill Art Walk, which means two things: the pleasure of enjoying art in person, and the task of navigating art walk crowds. Fortunately, the online preview helps if you need a minute to decide what you want. Once you know that, you can make a beeline to it at the reception. Saves time and decision-making brain power. (You’re welcome.)

Of course, you could just delay the whole thing until just before the show closes on November 10th… but why?