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Tucson Museum of Art’s Arizona Biennial exhibit starts July 11; reception is Friday

Art auctions new feature of event that began in 1948

By Teya Vitu

Tucson Museum of Art’s Arizona Biennial ’09 exhibition includes a surprise this year. Many of the artworks will be auctioned off on the last day of the show.

The live and silent auctions are a new twist for the Biennial, which has showcased the work of Arizona artists every two years since 1948. The auction starts at 4:30 p.m. Sept. 26 at the museum, 140 N. Main Ave. The exhibit runs from July 11 to Sept. 26.

Nine pieces from the Biennial have been confirmed for the live auction so far and five will be included in the silent auction. Museum executive director Robert Knight predicts 20 to 25 artworks from the 50-piece exhibition ultimately will get auctioned.

Money raised from the sales will be split between the artists and the museum, which will put its share into a "temporary restricted fund" to support contemporary art exhibitions at TMA, Knight said.

Museum marketing director Meredith Hayes equates this Biennial as a live auction book for prospective buyers.

"We have an almost three-month preview for people to come down and decide the pieces they want to bid on," Hayes said.

As an added bonus, art connoisseurs and the public can meet the artists at the opening reception that starts at 5:30 p.m. Friday, July 10. Opening receptions are usually for TMA members only, but this one is open to the public. It’s free for members and $10 for non-members.

"The fun thing about the opening is the museum is completely taken over by the artists and their friends," Hayes said.

The museum is open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday to Saturday and noon to 4 p.m. Sunday. Admission is $8, but the first Sunday of each month is free. For more information, visit tucsonmuseumofart.org.

Fourth Avenue Underpass to open Aug. 20 - it’s a party!

The Fourth Avenue Underpass - a major artery connecting the University of Arizona, Fourth Avenue and area neighborhoods with Downtown - will open Aug. 20.

A big celebration is being planned by merchant groups, the Old Pueblo Trolley folks, the City of Tucson and project coordinators.

Save the date! This is a party you won’t want to miss.

Tucson is invited to share in the excitement of this revitalization project.

When: Aug. 20, 4 p.m. and later

Where: In the Fourth Avenue Underpass, along Fourth Avenue and throughout Downtown.

Details: The celebration kicks off at 4 p.m. with a ribbon cutting ceremony featuring Tucson Mayor Bob Walkup, City Council members, city leaders and other dignitaries. Read more...