"News Person" is a mixed-media photograph by Daryl Thetford.IF YOU GOWhat: Artamajig.When: 6-8:30 p.m. Thursday.Where: Tanner-Hill Gallery, 3069 S. Broad St.Admission: $75.Phone: 267-1218.Website: www.Artamajig.com.
The 10th annual Artamajig -- think, a thingamajig for artists -- will be a true reveal.
"Reveal," indeed, is the theme of the event, a fundraiser for the Arts & Education Council that will be held Thursday at Tanner-Hill Gallery.
More than 50 artists will be involved in this year's Artamajig, which has raised more than $120,000 for the organization since it began in 2003.
"Doing what they do is a very generous [contribution]," Ann Johnson, executive assistant to the AEC director, said of the artists. "They do such beautiful things for it. We can't say enough about the artists. They make the event."
The focus of Artamajig is a silent auction featuring original pieces created by the artists using the event theme. The pieces range from paintings to photography to jewelry to furniture.
At a reception in April, participating artists were given a scratch-off card attached to a gift. When they scratched off their card, the Reveal theme was ... revealed.
"We try to make it fun for the artists," Johnson said. "We try to do something creative and interesting that the artists will enjoy."
Some 90 percent of the artists from 2011 have returned for this year's event, revealing their belief in the worthiness of the event as well the networking it provides, Johnson said.
"I know they feel that way," she said. "I know that's why we have the success rate of them returning. Plus, the [nonartist] folks who come are those who buy art. It's good for the artists."
Daryl Thetford, one of the returning artists, contributed the work "News Person," a digital photo collage of a woman's face. Among the photographic elements are contemporary newspaper articles, old signs, torn paper posted on urban walls, splashes of graffiti and writing in pink pastel that comes from a produce market in Nice, France, he said.
New this year will be one auction lot of secret items. The lot, which may contain artwork as well as traditional silent-auction prizes, will display only the businesses that donated the items and the combined retail value.
Bidding will begin at 60 percent of that price, Johnson said. Only when the bidding is over will the contents of the lot be revealed.
Patrons, in addition to the silent auction, will dine on creations by Daniel Lindley, a three-time James Beard Foundation Award nominee and chef at St. John's Restaurant, St. John's Meeting Place and Alleia.
They can sample local meats, cheeses and breads provided by Link 41, Sequatchie Cove Farm and Niedlov's Breadworks as well as dessert by Whipped Cupcakes. The items will be paired with wines from Riverside Wine & Spirits in a keepsake wine glass.