Big ‘Eye’ Opener in Idyllwild

The Art Alliance of Idyllwild kicks off its yearly event schedule with a lively fundraiser entitled, “Idyllwild and the Eye,” on Saturday, March 4, 2006, from 7-9 p.m. at the Rainbow Inn, 54420 South Circle Dr.

The event will feature opportunity drawings and a live auction for original art. There also will be food, wine and entertainment by Ed Hansen.

The annual "Eye" fundraiser challenges Art Alliance artists to create original works of art based on their interpretations on the theme. Past themes include the Window and the Eye, the Shoe and the Eye, the Box and the Eye, the Mask and the Eye, the Egg and the Eye and the Artist and the Eye.

With such wide-open themes, the creative expression can be staggering. The mediums used include oils, pastels, acrylics, sculpture, mixed media, jewelry, photography, ceramics, fiber, glass, metal, wood and more.

The artists donate their fanciful creations to the fundraiser to help raise money for the annual Juried Member’s Art Show and Sale this spring. Part of the proceeds also goes to the Associates of Idyllwild Arts Foundation scholarship fund.

A $5 donation is requested at the door. The opportunity drawing tickets cost $2 for 1 ticket; $3 for 5; $10 for 7; and $20 for 25 tickets.

The event is the first of the season in the AAI’s “First Saturday” series. The series features a major art event on the first Saturday of each month from March through December.

The Alliance also holds intimate Saturday Morning Art Cafés from May to October. The Café’s offer an opportunity for artists to discuss process and interact with art lovers in a casual setting in the galleries.

The Alliance’s ambitious art event program is part of the reason Idyllwild has been named “One of the 100 Best Art Towns in America,” in the book by the same name by John Villani.

For more information, contact the Alliance at 1-866-439-5278, or visit its Web site at: http://www.artinidyllwild.com. The Art Alliance of Idyllwild is a non-profit organization.