Auction Nets Millions For Western Art
The big spenders in the world of wildlife art, sporting art and Western art dropped eight big ones at the Coeur d’Alene Art Auction on July 27.
I don’t mean $8,000. I mean $8 million.
That’s how much they spent on some 350 artworks, according to figures released last week by the auction. This auction isn’t widely publicized among the general public, but it is an important annual feeding frenzy among dealers and serious collectors. This year, about 800 were in attendance.
It’s the kind of auction that seems to attract an inordinate number of people in Lear jets.
World records were established for many of the artists. A total of 30 works by wildlife artist Carl Rungius (1869-1959) were sold, including a mountain goat painting that went for $190,000.
A Charles M. Russell watercolor, “In the Land of the Kootenai,” topped the bidding at $352,000.
Next time I have a spare hundred grand or so, I’m going to get in on some of this action.
Take a number for tickets
The G&B Select-a-Seat outlets in Rosauers stores are instituting a new take-a-number system for big shows so people won’t feel compelled to camp out in the wee hours.
As soon as a “large event” is announced, customers can go to the Rosauers’ outlet and get a voucher - essentially a coupon with a number on it. That number is your place in line.
Then, on the day that the tickets actually go on sale, people with vouchers can show up and be assured of their spot in line. They can’t show up before 6 a.m., but they have to be there at least 30 minutes before the actual on-sale time.
This sounds like an equitable system. Be aware that for some events - Neil Diamond and George Strait, for instance - you may be out of luck even if you have a voucher. Tickets can go so fast that not everybody in line will get one.
New concert alert
Tickets for the Allman Brothers go on sale Monday at 10 a.m. at G&B outlets. They’re booked for Sept. 5 at 8 p.m. at the Beasley Performing Arts Coliseum in Pullman.
Tickets are $28 and $22.
New home for Rogue Players
The Rogue Players, a community theater long located at the West Central Community Center, is moving next season to the Masonic Temple’s Commandery Theatre.
This performing space, one of many inside the Masonic Temple, will give the Rogue Players more seating capacity and a permanent stage.
Their upcoming season will include “Charley’s Aunt” (Oct. 25-Nov. 8); “Stalag 17” (Dec. 6-21); “The Lion In Winter” (March 21-April 5); and “Harvey” (May 9-24).
The 1996 Bravo winner
Mary Gaiser, a longtime Spokane arts supporter, was the recipient of the 1996 Bravo Award at last weekend’s Royal Fireworks Concert.
This annual award, given each year by Beverly Biggs and David Dutton, is for extraordinary support of the performing arts in Spokane. Gaiser’s award was given as a Lifetime Achievement Award for her untiring efforts over many decades.
Her contribution was summed up by Biggs and Dutton: “Throughout her lifetime, she has held a strong vision, and has been willing to use her influence and her wisdom to further it. She has been very modest about claiming credit, but has consistently gathered a few friends and gotten the job done.”
Donald Thulean, former conductor of the Spokane Symphony, called Gaiser a “great strategist.”
Son of ‘Love Notes’
Listeners have selected a new name for Terry Holiday’s request-and-dedication show weeknights on KXLY-FM: “Voices in the Night.”
That name was selected out of hundreds that were submitted by listeners. Holiday had to change the name from “Love Notes” after moving from KISC-FM to KXLY-FM last month.
Breakfast Boy contract
KZZU-FM (and its parent company, KXLY) has signed Breakfast Boy Dave Sposito to a new three-year contract.
Ohm to Houston
Jeannie Ohm, reporter in KHQ-6’s Coeur d’Alene bureau, has landed a good job at Houston’s NBC affiliate, KPRC-TV. She had been with KHQ for about two years. Her last day was Friday.
, DataTimes