Raffle helps art lovers add to collections, supports Lexington Art League

Annual event supports LAL’s day-to-day operations

Ticket-holders for THE 200 reverse raffle look at the event’s exhibition and make final decisions about their favorite selections.

LEXINGTON, Ky. (Oct. 15, 2012) —Art lovers added to their collections Saturday night and supported the Lexington Art League (LAL) at the same time.

PHOTOS OF SOME OF THE ARTWORK AND EVENT BELOW STORY

THE 200, an annual fundraising exhibition, supports the day-to-day operations of the art league, central Kentucky’s oldest and largest visual arts organization.

Formerly known as Art Fever, THE 200 auction is centered around the long-standing reverse raffle, which has been a staple of the event since it started more than a decade ago. For auction ticket-holders, the evening is a dance with chance, as they wait for their number to be drawn so they can get their pick of any artwork in the exhibition. Once called, ticket-holders have 60 seconds to stake their claim. The person whose number is drawn last gets first pick the next year.

On Saturday, Cindy Baker of Nancy Barron & Associates —which has sponsored the event for many years — celebrated being drawn last. She still took home the artwork she wanted and gets to go first next year.

This year’s exhibition included 120 works of art donated to LAL in support of its operations by artists around the country, and all artwork was valued at a minimum of $200. It included photography, paintings, sculptures, jewelry, fiber arts, and even a didgeridoo.

The event was emceed by Joe Conkwright, who hosts Rock & Roots on WUKY. Conkwright’s band, the Mojo Tones, also played at the event.

To learn more about the Lexington Art League, click here.

: Joe Conkwright emceed THE 200, and his band, Mojo Tones, played before the raffle began.

: Art collector Nancy Barron's brokerage firm has sponsored the Lexington Art League's annual reverse raffle auction for many years. Shown with her is Dave Shaw, a registered representative at Nancy Barron & Associates.