Original works from more than 100 nationally acclaimed artists will be auctioned Sept. 2 to support the Rist Canyon Volunteer Fire Department and firefighters who battled Colorado’s devastating High Park Fire. The auction takes place in Rist Canyon west of Bellvue.
16 x 20, Oil
Art lovers from all over the West will gather on the Sunday of Labor Day weekend in a mountain valley miraculously untouched by the fire that destroyed 135-square miles all around it. They’re coming to buy the most impressive selection of art ever presented in the Richard Schmid Fine Art Auction. And they’re coming to show their support for the fire department and firefighters whose valiant and heroic efforts to defend homes and homelands made the nation and the world stop and take notice.
Proceeds from the auction support both the artists and the Rist Canyon Volunteer Fire Department. This year that support means more than ever. During three weeks in June the High Park fire and flooding that followed it destroyed 258 homes and burned more than 87,000 acres. Thanks to round-the-clock efforts by firefighters week after week, homes and lives that might have been lost were saved. Five firefighters lost their own homes while protecting others. The department lost one station, and an untold amount of equipment, supplies and gear.
Founding artist Richard Schmid has announced that he will donate 100 percent of the proceeds of the sale of his paintings at the auction to the fire department and other artists have followed suit.
This year’s auction drew hundreds of entries from all over the U.S. and abroad. Richard Schmid personally juried the art featured in the live auction. The juried silent auction features an additional 70 works, with a “Buy Now” option that gives patrons an opportunity to scoop up their favorite piece without having to wait and anxiously watch the bid sheet until the close of the auction.
The art preview and silent auction opens at 10 a.m.; the live auction gets under way promptly at 1 p.m.
The Rist Canyon Mountain Festival will also take place as scheduled. So while waiting for the auction to begin visitors can enjoy a wide variety of attractions, including a huge book sale, craft market, live entertainment and plenty of food. Admission to both the festival and art auctions is free.
Visit www.RichardSchmidAuction.com for more info.
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