Attendees to Hunter Underground find not only new art at lower prices, they're offered food, a full bar and entertainment in the temporary nightclub atmosphere set up in the basement of the Hunter Museum of American Art.If you go
› What: Hunter Ungerground› When: 8 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 20› Where: Hunter Museum of American Art, 10 Bluff View› Admission: $40 for Avant-Art members, $50 for Hunter members and $60 general admission› Phone: 267-0968› Website: www.huntermuseum.org
Are you looking to add to - or maybe start - that home art collection, but you're feeling a little overwhelmed at some of the prices? Or maybe you're scared of buying the "wrong" thing.
The Avant Art group of young patrons at the Hunter Museum of American Art created Hunter Underground a decade ago to help attract new patrons and help them be more comfortable in buying art.
This year's event, set for Feb. 20 at the museum, is a party with food, dancing and an art auction; it is designed to be a way for people to get into the art world and buy new pieces at reduced prices.
"Hunter Underground is a really unique and fun party in the basement of the Hunter, always fresh and exciting, and happens to be the only time that part of the museum is open to the public," says Aly Haugland, museum membership and donor coordinator.
"Underground is a great way to bring some new faces to the Hunter, and to engage the new collector," she says. "The Silent Auction is tailored to make art collecting more accessible, featuring art under $500, and is a way to support local and emerging artists."
In addition to the Silent Auction, there is the Smash & Grab Gallery in which patrons can buy a raffle ticket for $25 each or five for $100. The people who have their ticket drawn then have 30 seconds to rush into the gallery and grab one piece for keeping.
Dr. Jessica Scotchie and her husband, Jeff, attended their first Hunter Underground last year along with two other couples and were thrilled when two of them won Smash & Grab items.
"We had a great time with great food and great music and it was nice to go home with two people winning art pieces," she says.
River Gallery Assistant Director Angie Supan and her husband, Ricky, have attended all nine Hunter Underground events and, while she is already of big art enthusiast, she enjoys the event's many facets. She feels so strongly about its role in introducing art to young patrons, she joined the Hunter Underground committee about five years ago.
"We love the party part of it and the socializing, of course, but getting to go down to the basement and seeing the newest and latest thing, whether it's belly dancing or a deejay, is so much fun, but you then get to see the new art that the Hunter has. I love everything about it."
Haugland says the committee found works by artists in Chattanooga and Atlanta for this year's silent auction, and several local artists donated pieces for the Smash & Grab.
"Many well-known local artists have very generously donated their works to the Smash & Grab Gallery this year, including Cessina Decosimo, Timur Akhriev and Liz Lindstrom, so it will be a really exciting opportunity for some lucky winners to add a wonderful piece to their art collection," she says. "Someone could walk away with a Cessna piece for $25, which is amazing.
"Proceeds from Smash & Grab ticket sales go directly toward the important work the Hunter does for students in our community, so the donation that these artists are making really goes a long way."
"Music and video for the temporary disco will be provided by DJ Southtek & Tape Canvas. Alleia is providing the food for the evening."
Contact Barry Courter at bcourter@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6354.