‘Fall Into Art’ auction returns Oct. 19

ARLINGTON — Since it evolved from a committee planning art projects for the city’s centennial celebration in 2003, the Arlington Arts Council has sought to further foster what they see as the community’s growing reputation for art. To that end, the Arlington Arts Council’s “Fall Into Art” auction will return for its 11th year on Saturday, Oct. 19, at the Medallion Hotel in Smokey Point.

By Kirk Boxleitner • October 11, 2013 5:07 pm
Arlington artist Gary Goveet
Arlington artist Gary Goveet

ARLINGTON — Since it evolved from a committee planning art projects for the city’s centennial celebration in 2003, the Arlington Arts Council has sought to further foster what they see as the community’s growing reputation for art.

To that end, the Arlington Arts Council’s “Fall Into Art” auction will return for its 11th year on Saturday, Oct. 19, at the Medallion Hotel in Smokey Point.

“Our first auction helped match the city’s contribution of $10,000 to commission ‘Westside Species,’ a major mural on Olympic Hill by Harry Engstrom, and the ‘Salmon Spawning Pool’ granite sculpture by Verena Schwippert,” Arlington Arts Council President Sarah Arney said. “For several years, the city continued matching funds raised at the annual ‘Fall Into Art’ auction, until the economy crashed.”

Looking to the group’s contributions to the community within the past three years, Arney credited the Arlington Arts Council with assisting the city in securing welcome signs for all of its major entryways, by designing and paying for the first sign, and then buying the art elements for four more signs, that were paid for in part by a Snohomish County Tourism Grant. City of Arlington Recreation Manager Sarah Lopez was instrumental in writing the grant and coordinating the sign projects.

“We’re also excited that the city found funds for an art project in the 67th Avenue reconstruction project,” Arney said. “That’s strictly a city effort, but we see it as a sign that art is recognized as an important element in our town. We’re still hoping there will also be art included at the new transit hub, that Community Transit will be building next year in Smokey Point.”

The annual “Fall Into Art” auction is the sole source of the Arlington Arts Council’s operating budget. Proceeds from the Tayla Lynn country music concert on Saturday, Oct. 26, at the Byrnes Performing Arts Center at Arlington High School, will benefit the Arlington Arts Council’s next public art project.

Donations to this year’s auction range from original art by Arlington Arts Council members and friends, services by local community businesses, theater tickets and a night at the Mayflower Park Hotel in Seattle.

For more information, log onto http://arlingtonartscouncil.net or call Arney at 360-435-3778.