YAC Ornament Auction revels in new identity as ‘neighborhood block party’
When the Christmas Ornament Auction began, the Yoknapatawpha Arts Council held the festivities out of people’s homes.
Now, the auction is YAC’s longest-running event, has an official home in the Powerhouse and boasts some of the best features Oxford has to offer.
YAC Executive Director Wayne Andrews said the auction, which will take place on December 14th from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., will feature beer tasting, cocktail tasting and sampling from 11 Oxford-local restaurants, as well as ornaments crafted by local artists.
Andrews said the auction was one of YAC’s first events, which is open to everyone.
“It really is a sense of community,” he said. “There’s something for everyone.”
Andrews said the auction also highlights every kind of artist around Oxford, whether that person is a musician, chef, bartender or an artist.
The event is free of charge, however attendees must be members of the YAC. Membership costs $35, and anyone can signup the YAC’s website.
Andrews pointed out that a year membership to the YAC allows members to be a part of Oxford’s art community, and the ornament auction is a thank you in the form of a party.
Andrews said ornaments that are up for auction will range from regular fabric ornaments, to creative works of art, such as a collage star, a vignette fashioned from sardine cans and a tree constructed from fortune cookies.
Attendees will also get a chance to sample both casual and more refined food from the likes of Wine Bar, Snack Bar, Stella and Crave, among others.
Furthermore, the auction allows YAC members to connect with local artists.
“You get to end up talking to the artists and building a relationship with them,” Andrews said. “This is the most casual way to connect everyone.”
By purchasing a membership to the YAC, the membership fee will go towards assisting the Powerhouse, The Oxford Film Festival and the Arts Incubator, which helps local artists grow through workshops, peer learning sessions, and networking events.
“I hope every family in the community will invest in the arts council,” Andrews said.
Loading ...