Area residents will have a chance to get up close and  personal with some of the finest artwork in the state at the Shafer Art Gallery’s “Smoky Hills Public Television Signature Auction Preview Exhibit," opening Sunday, March 16, with a public reception from 1-3 p.m. at Barton Community College.
The exhibit will feature a wide variety of artwork. The pieces will later be sold during the Smoky Hills Public Television Signature Auction from 7-10 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, April 12 and 13. The auction serves as the main fundraiser for SHPTV, a not-for-profit corporation, and all the artwork is donated by artists who believe in SHPTV’s mission to “bring quality local programming to central and western Kansas.”
Shafer Art Gallery Director Dave Barnes said he is honored and excited to host the preview exhibit this year.
“The Smoky Hills Public Television Preview Exhibit is more than just a preview of extraordinary art works that will be auctioned on television,” he said.  “It is also a wonderful snapshot of the kind of art being made in Kansas right now. Some of the best artists in the state and the country contribute to this event yearly. All mediums and all styles are represented and better yet they are all for sale to support an important cause, and the Shafer Gallery is proud to support public television and the people of Kansas in this way.”
More than 100 pieces will be auctioned during the live event on SHPTV including sculptures, photographs, oil paintings, water color paintings, blown glass, jewelry and more.
“The variety and quality of the artwork for this year’s auction is impressive,” said SHPTV Event Coordinator Tricia Flax. “We are so appreciative of the artists willing to donate their pieces to raise money for Smoky Hills Public Television.”
The reception will feature catered refreshments, music and a gallery talk. The exhibit will be up for viewing until April 6. The Shafer Gallery is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, closed Saturdays and is open from 1-5 p.m. on Sundays.
For an online gallery of all the artwork and more information about the auction and SHPTV go to shptv.org.