JOIN US AT THE GALLERY ON SATURDAY, MAY 3, 2025 FOR ART AUCTION

Art Auction is our beloved annual fundraising gala where artists, art lovers, collectors and community champions come together to raise funds in support of our annual program at the Gallery. For nearly 50 years, the Gallery has been a vital place of artistic expression, education and connection for our communities. Your generous support at Art Auction is what makes this ongoing work possible.

Purchase your tickets today to join us at this special gala event, featuring an incredible collection of 70+ artworks donated by past exhibiting artists and southern Alberta’s visual arts community. Tickets include a three-course gourmet meal by Bourbon & Butter, beverages, and exclusive access to our live auction.

PREVIEW WEEK
The Gallery will be open to the public during regular hours from Wednesday, April 30 to Friday, May 2 for anyone to preview the art and place their bids in the online auction.

ONLINE AUCTION
Our online auction is now open! Visit the auction website to register and place your bids on over 40 artworks and more than 20 prize and experience packages by our wonderful local business community to help support the Gallery’s fundraising goals.

THE MAIN EVENT
The party gets underway at 5 p.m. on Saturday, May 3. Arrive in style in your most fun and fashionable attire to walk the red carpet. Join our cocktail hour presented by Subaru of Lethbridge from 5-6 p.m. and enjoy a cold craft beer or soda courtesy of Annex Ales, or one of the many other beverage options at the bar or bottle service.

Mingle and continue bidding on our online auction, capture the moment and take home a printed photo at the Aspire Photography photobooth before settling in for our formal program starting at 6 p.m. that begins with our Sparkling Salute to the Artists presented by the Allied Arts Council of Lethbridge followed by a delicious three-course meal prepared by the culinary team from Bourbon & Butter presented by our Good Taste Sponsor DIALOG Design.

THE LIVE AUCTION
The highlight of the evening—our Live Auction—will provide attendees exclusive access to bid on 31 artworks by local, regional and national artists, plus two exclusive prize packages. This year’s selection includes sculpture, painting, photography, and more, ranging in value from $45 to $4,500.

THE AFTERPARTY
Keep the party going after the auction ends and head across the street to the Owl Acoustic Lounge for the official Art Auction 2025 Afterparty, featuring local surf-rock stalwarts Atomicos. The first 40 Art Auction attendees arriving after 10 p.m will receive complimentary admission.

NEW THIS YEAR

  • Advanced bidding for the online auction starting Tuesday, April 29

  • VIP Preview week for advanced artwork viewing

  • Increased number of artworks and two special experience packages exclusively available at our live auction on May 3

  • Exciting updates about our capital project during the gala program

Joining us from out of town? We have special hotel rates available for Art Auction guests to stay with our friends and neighbours at Sandman Signature Lethbridge Lodge. Please reach out to development@saag.ca for the discount code.

Photo by Kort Woycheshin

ART AUCTION 2025 FEATURE ARTIST: BILLY MCCARROLL

The Gallery is delighted to announce Bill McCarroll as our 2025 Art Auction Featured Artist.

Bill is an important figure in the arts in Canada and Lethbridge and played a significant role in shaping the community as a centre for contemporary art. Born and educated in California, Bill came to Canada in 1971 where he taught printmaking, drawing and painting at the University of Lethbridge and served as the first director/curator at the university Art Gallery from 1972 to 1981.

As an artist, he is renowned for his “Golf” series of prints and paintings, inspired by the Sam Snead book “Natural Golf.” In 2011, Bill had a major survey exhibition at the Southern Alberta Art Gallery spanning both galleries, which included the production of a major monograph. His new work returns to abstraction and formal exploration and, like his older work, continues to be collected widely by both institutions and private individuals.

Bill continues to be an active member of the local arts community as a visual artist and jazz musician. We’re proud to honour his long relationship with the Gallery and his many contributions to the arts in southern Alberta and Canada at this year’s Art Auction on Saturday May 3, 2025.

THANK YOU TO OUR ARTISTS, SPONSORS, DONORS, AND SUPPORTERS!

GOOD TASTE SPONSOR

COCKTAIL HOUR SPONSOR

BEVERAGE SPONSOR

SPARKLING SALUTE TO THE ARTISTS SPONSOR

FLORAL SPONSOR

SPECIAL THANKS TO OUR CATERING PARTNER

PRINT SPONSOR

ARTWORK DONORS
Kristin Ailsby, Darrell Alexander, Daniel Audet,  Chris Boyne, Lauren Chipeur, Dagmar Dahle, Julie Duschenes, Mandy Espezel, Renata Franzky, Donna Gallant, Amy Gaulin, Marianne Gerlinger, Chris Glabb, Juliet Graham, Aaron Hagan, Tony Hailu, Hali Heavy Shield, D. Hoffos, Mary Kavanagh, Heather Kehoe,  Lethbridge Modern Quilt Guild, Micah Lexier, Maria Z. Madacky, Petra Malá-Miller, Darrin Martens & Ian Thom, Khim Mata Hipol, Karla Mather-Cocks, April Matisz, Bev Mazurick, Billy McCarroll, Serena McCarroll, Diane McGeachy, David Miller, Gabriel Esteban Molina, Harley Morman, Amuri Morris, Bridget Moser, Aingeal O'Mahony-Guyn, Shanell Papp, Riddhi Patel, Justin Patterson, The Pohlman Collection, Paige Quinn, Les Ramsay, Arianna Richardson, Catherine Ross, Samuel Roy-Bois, Anita & Dan Ryder, Justin Shideler, Erdem Taşdelen, Alex Turgeon, Gary Uchikura, Bekk Wells, Dan Westwood, Simon Wilkins, Adam Whitford

EVENT SUPPORTERS
Andrew Hilton Wine & Spirits, Aspire Photography, Avail CPA, Bourbon & Butter, FeeSimple Law LLP, L.A. Gallery 2.0, Fosters Jewellery, Lethbridge Event Rentals, Doug Levis, Nikka Yuko Japanese Gardens, Owl Acoustic Lounge, Sandman Signature Lethbridge Lodge, Sign City, Sheldon Smithens.

SILENT AUCTION DONORS
Analog Books, Anita Ryder, Annex Ale Project, Bert and Macs, Blanco Cantina, CKXU, Eden Restaurant, FeeSimple Law LLP, Flowers on 9th, Harvest Yoga Studio, Lethbridge Bulls, Lethbridge Country Cub, Lethbridge Symphony, Long & McQuaid Lethbridge, Love Cheese Shop, New West Theatre, Nikka Yuko Japanese Garden, Shaela Miller, Stronghold Brewing Co, Telegraph TapHouse, The Sill and Soil.