MoNA sets 32nd art auction June 8

While the 32nd Museum of Northwest Art’s Annual Art Auction is at the museum June 8, more than 300 of some 418 pieces of art can be viewed in person in its galleries or online. People are already making silent auction bids for those 388 works of art and another seven special experiences ranging from a glass blowing class to wine, and some pieces have been purchased.

At the June 8 event, 30 pieces will be auctioned live. Additional funds will be raised through the “golden raffle,” with the winner getting her choice of almost any art item. The audience, in person and online, will be asked to raise the paddle to “Fund-the-Future” of the museum, the moment “the museum’s future and the future of a thriving community are woven together,” wrote Executive Director Stefano Catalani on the auction website.

In his letter, Catalani calls on museum patrons to “celebrate together the extraordinary power of art and creativity to move, change, and transform our lives!”

The theme this year is “spreading our wings,” with a butterfly icon as the logo. Attendees may purchase the “butterfly ticket” for $100 or a “monarch ticket” for $250. The latter supports a donating artist’s attendance at the auction. Those purchasers also get a seat “at a table for a memorable experience.” On Monday two were still available.

All attendees will enjoy a “dazzling evening with artists, delectable oysters, pink martinis and love for art!” In keeping with the theme, they are asked to “trust those butterflies in your stomach, yes it is love!” – of art and the Museum of Northwest Art.

Catalani ends his letter “It is because of your sense of community that makes it possible for MoNA to spread its wings!”

This year’s art auction procurement team is Earlene Beckes, Lucy Mae VanZanden and Meg Holgate.

The auction is scheduled for 5-7 p.m. Saturday, June 8, at MoNA. Information: ­monamuseum.org.