Visit our new Solstice Website Oasolstice.org
We're going virtual:
In order to prioritize the safety of our staff, artists, mentors, students, and donors during the COVID-19 pandemic, in April 2020, Oakwood Arts made the decision not to hold this year’s annual benefit auction in person. In the wake of George Floyd’s death and subsequent protests in Richmond and across the nation, we are hopeful that our country stands on the precipice of long-overdue change. Oakwood Arts stands in support and solidarity of our local community and all those who have suffered as a result of state-sanctioned oppression and systemic racism.
Given this moment in time, Oakwood Arts strives to be intentional and sensitive to all that is happening around us. While we have decided to move forward with a virtual SOLSTICE, we are using our platform to reflect better the needs of our community, focusing our week-long event on showcasing the emerging artists and creatives who give so much to our organization, serving as mentors and volunteers for our programs, alongside a diverse group of established artists of all disciplines who use their artistic voice to share their lived experiences and enact change.
SOLSTICE 2020 will take place on Saturday, June 2020, preceded by a week of virtual programming and online bidding beginning Monday, June 15, 2020.
What a virtual SOLSTICE looks like…
COVID-conscious programming means we can stay strong together even when we’re apart, so our mission to support the Richmond community and artists remains the same. SOLSTICE will kick off Monday, June 15 with online bidding for select works by emerging creatives, including those who serve as Oakwood Arts mentors and volunteers, alongside a diverse group of internationally- and locally-renowned established artists, as well as a week’s worth of virtual programming designed to help better connect us and bring a taste of SOLSTICE to a broader community. On Saturday, June 20, Oakwood Arts will host a free, interactive finale event featuring presentations to help uplift our community and a live paddle raise you can join from the comfort of your own home. Tune in and get involved to help make our COVID-response programs and year-round efforts possible.
SOLSTICE 2020: VIRTUAL PROGRAMMING and CULMINATING FINALE EVENT, ONLINE BIDDING FOR SELECT WORKS BY ESTABLISHED AND EMERGING CREATIVES, ARTIST-CURATED BOXES, AND A PRINTED CATALOG
A week’s worth of free media from the Oakwood Arts community, released every night at 8pm leading up to the SOLSTICE finale. Throughout the programming, we will hear from exceptional contemporary artists, leaders in the creative production industry, and innovative creators who are all shaping the Richmond community and beyond.
A free culminating event on Saturday, June 20th featuring the voices of Oakwood Arts mentors and staff, raffle drawing and a live paddle raise in support of our programs hosted by Sebastian Clarke of Antiques Roadshow, and the conclusion of week-long bidding on the collections available for purchase.
In keeping with last year’s tradition of inviting artists who inspire us and our community at large, this year’s custom boxes are curated by Sonya Clark and Paul Rucker, internationally-acclaimed artists with strong ties to Richmond. Buy a raffle ticket for your chance at one of the artist-curated boxes!
To commemorate this year’s event, we are producing a more robust auction catalog that will not only highlight participating artists but also serve as a record of this unique moment in time. This expanded catalog will feature artist spotlights, multiple critical essays, partner-related programming, and highlights from our art activity kits! The catalog will be shipped in the fall. Pre-orders coming soon.
Questions?
Email us at auction@oakwoodarts.org to inquire about the event and other ways to get involved.
Click here to learn more about last year’s auction.