You have a unique and stress-free shopping opportunity in  your own backyard.

You can stroll among your art choices with wine and food in hand, while live music plays in the background.

This uncommon shopping venue is the Gifts of Art silent auction, Saturday at the ArtsNatchez gallery, 425 Main St.

The reception and the bidding will take place from 5-7 p.m. or until the auction ends. Taylor Spring, guitarist and vocalist, will provide the music during the reception.

This silent-auction fundraiser is in its third year. The 30 member artists of  ArtsNatchez have created the pieces just for this auction.

You will find more than 30 works including oils and watercolors, acrylics, pottery , jewelry,  photography, textiles, and wooden bowls.

Here is a random sample of what will be up for bid;

4A painting of dancers arrayed  before a fiery skyline.

4An elaborate gold frame surrounds a moody photograph of hot-air balloons.

4A ceramic birdhouse in the shape of a cross.

4A hand woven belt.

4A pointillist rendition of a Natchez barbershop in the 1930s or 1940s.

4Red roses stand out against a dark impressionist background.

4An abstract ocean view of an industrial port fills a 24X48 inch canvas.

There will be enough offerings to appeal to every taste and budget.

But we also want to accommodate your busy holiday schedule with two preview and bidding days. On Friday and Saturday during regular gallery hours from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. you can take in the exhibit and bid at your leisure.

The auction will be preceded by a patrons’ meeting at 4:30 p.m. Anyone who has donated to ArtsNatchez is considered a patron of the gallery and is welcome to attend. A state-of-the-gallery report will be presented by Gallery Coordinator Carolyn Weir. Also on the agenda are reports on improvements to the gallery, finances of the gallery, along with the gallery’s history. Members of the board will be present.

ArtsNatchez is a 501(c) (3) organization, which depends on tax-deductible donations along with fundraisers to stay afloat.

Founded in April of 2008, the gallery of local artists is a non-profit membership organization managed by a board of directors. Every artist works at the gallery one day each month in order to hang their works at ArtsNatchez.

The purpose of the gallery is to promote and encourage public interest in Natchez art and culture. This is accomplished through the exhibition of local art as well as classes and workshops and educational outreach programs.

Please come Saturday and take in the expanded gallery space and artists offerings.

Remember a gift of art removes the worry over size or color. It also eliminates the need to search through stores, catalogs and websites to find unique Christmas gifts.
Frank Gresock serves on the Board of Directors of ArtsNatchez.