Got a hankering to attend a costume party that will raise money for the arts? Or just happen to be in the market for a mask made by a well-known artist?
The Arizona Opera League of Tucson is holding a silent auction for the general public to bid on a series of one-of-a-kind masks, which will be distributed at the Carnevale Masked Ball, scheduled for Jan. 19 at Tucson Country Club.
The masks, made by nationally known local artists such as Beckie Kravitz, David Sisk and Kelvin Yazzie, are on display at various locations throughout the Tucson area through Jan. 18.
Both the silent auction and the Carnevale Masked Ball are part of a fundraising campaign to benefit the Arizona Opera, which is midway through its 2007-08 performance season.
Cecile Follansbee, president of the volunteer Arizona Opera League of Tucson, said fundraising in previous years was focused solely on a designer home tour, which will be held again this year in March.
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"The increased need for support of arts organizations in general, and opera specifically, prompted us to diversify our activities," said Lynda Schuler, Arizona Opera League of Tucson publicity chairwoman. "The masks and the auction are just a unique way of bringing together visual and performing art."
Nine masks are being displayed at eight locations, many of them in the Foothills (see box). They will be on display until Jan. 18, when the top bidders will be notified they're in the lead and asked how much higher they're willing to go.
Those who attend the Carnevale Masked Ball will then get one last chance to bid on the masks.
Follansbee said Carnevale attendees will also get a chance to bid on a pair of autographed masks created by the Arizona Opera's wardrobe department and signed by international opera stars Stephanie Blythe — who performed in the Arizona Opera's Tucson version of "Die Fledermaus" in November — and Placido Domingo.
Where to view masks
Here's where a series of masks will be on display for the general public to bid on via a silent auction through Jan. 18. Proceeds from the auction will benefit the Arizona Opera.
Arizona Opera, 3501 N. Mountain Ave.
Art Gallery, 1122 N. Stone Ave.
Terra Cotta, 3500 E. Sunrise Drive
Canyon Community Bank, 7981 N. Oracle Road
Grogan Gallery of Fine Art, 2890 E. Skyline Drive
Jane Hamilton Fine Art, 1825 E. River Road, No. 111
Mardon Frost Gallery, 2960 N. Swan Road, No. 136
Mountain Shadow Gallery, 3001 E. Skyline Drive, No. 109
Photographs, artist biographies and bidding information are online at www.azopera.com. Click on "Get Involved" and then go to the link for the Carnevale Masked Ball. To make a bid, call 798-6154 and leave a message. A representative will call back to take the bid.
If you go
What: Carnevale Masked Ball.
Where: Tucson Country Club, 2950 N. Camino Principal.
When: 7 p.m. Jan. 19.
Cost: Tickets are $175 and $200.
For more information: Call Cecile Follansbee at 742-0963 or e-mail her at cfollansbe@aol.com.
