Collectors’ Event

The Art Museum’s 15^th Annual Collectors’ Event – A History

In 2012, the Art Museum celebrated its 15^th Anniversary with a full year of special events – some tried-and-true and some brand-spanking-new.  The Collectors’ Event was one of the latter.

Denise Apple, co-chair of the Museum’s 15^th Anniversary Celebration Committee, brought the idea to her fellow committee members, based on an event she had attended in Alexandria, VA.  The concept:  ask 100 artists to donate a work of art valued at $100 or more; sell 100 tickets at $100 each; give each ticket holder a bidding number; find a great emcee like radio announcer Matt Sedota to host the event; invite artists and collectors (ticket holders) to Collector’s Café in Myrtle Beach where the work would be on display; and let the fun begin.  Bidding numbers were drawn and the bidder had just a minute to make their selection.  The event was fast-paced and a little wild! But at the end of the evening, everyone went home with an original work of art.

Since that first event, the eagerly anticipated Collectors’ Event has become a favorite of art collectors, art lovers and artists alike.  The donated artwork continues to get better and better and is often valued at much more than the now $250 ticket price.  The artists are invited to donate, and the artwork is on display in the William H. Miller Fine Art Gallery as an exhibition before the live and in-person event for visitors and collectors to see the variety of works in person.  This year this event returns to an in-person event ending the five years it was held virtually via Zoom due to Covid.  105 Artists donated works of art this year.

Four estates of deceased artists donated works for this anniversary event for the first ever silent auction component – giving collectors a chance to own a Beth Brillhart painting, a Kyle Rogers painting, a Brother Mel Meyer metal sculpture and an Alex Powers mixed media artwork.

As we celebrate the 15^h Anniversary of the Collectors’ Event, we want to extend our special thanks to Tommy Davis and Michael Craig Smith of former Collector’s Café for being such gracious hosts and supporters of this event over the years.  The Café was a unique venue providing a gallery-like setting for the 100 works of art and providing the perfect setting to bring artists and collectors together.  The tradition now continues with the Artists on 8^th Ave. offering up their gallery wall space at the William H. Miller Fine Art Gallery to the Art Museum for this event.

Thank you to all the artists who have donated over the years and to members and friends of the Art Museum who have attended the event.  And to you, the viewer, enjoy!