Artists clear attics so you can create

By BARBARA L. FREDRICKSEN, Arts & Entertainment
Published January 25, 2008

Finding just the right spot for a metal pig takes up a little of Ann Larsen's time as the executive director of the Pasco Arts Council organizes and catalogs items for the Artists' Attic Sale.
	[Mike Pease | Times]

If you're into painting, crafts, holiday decorating, costume making or gift buying, you have a good chance of finding what you're looking for at the second annual Artists' Attic Sale from 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday at the Pasco Arts Council'sart center.

"People have been bringing in a little bit of everything," said Ann Larsen, executive director of the council and the organizing force behind the sale.

The proceeds from the donated items will go into the operating budget of the arts center.

"We paid several months' utilities with what we made last year," Larsen said.

One room at the center is packed with holiday decorations, including miniature Christmas trees and tiny ornaments to go on them, as well as boxes full of bows, Citrus Magic holiday scented spray, Santa-shaped candy dishes and a stack of red flannel Santa Claus caps.

The back room is filled with oil paintings, watercolors, acrylics and blank canvases waiting for an artist's touch.

There are also boxes full of art and craft books, stacks of fancy and plain frames and at least two professional easels with adjustable legs for plein air artists who often set up shop on uneven ground (word to the wise: the nearly new Jullian folding easel with the $89 price tag on it lists for $314 in a popular art supplies catalog).

The main gallery is packed to the rafters with such things as fabric remnants for theatrical costumes and craftmaking (25 cents to $1), a bucket of glass marbles to anchor flowers in a vase, a small lamp for 50 cents, photo albums, baskets, reams of fancy lace, ribbons, a glass Sudoku board, canvas stretchers, animal-shaped musical instruments, wood cutouts, mini-blackboards and paintings originally valued up to $1,850.

"We're going to sell these by silent auction," Larsen said of the paintings.

Those interested in a painting will write their bid on a list, and the highest bidder at the close of the sale will get the framed andmatted painting.

Two interesting objects in the sale are a figurine of the late actor James Dean that could be used as a tree ornament and a small pink cow with a printed housedress wrapped around it, fluffy pink mules on its feet and gold curlers on its head.

"I don't know where those came from," Larsen said.

The center's gift shop will also be open, with one-of-a-kind jewelry, children's art books and toys, pottery, weavings and other items.

"But there won't be any special prices on those things," Larsen said.

Check it out

The big sale

Where: Pasco Arts Council, 5744 Moog Road, Holiday

When: 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday

Tickets: Free

.check it out

The big sale

Where: Pasco Arts Council, 5744 Moog Road, Holiday

When: 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday

Tickets: Free

[Last modified January 24, 2008, 20:38:27]