SPECTRUM brings two nights of fun and art to HUNTER

Art fans who like to have a little fun while they peruse will have two chances in November when the Hunter Museum of American Art presents Spectrum 2017.

Presented for the last 20 years by First Tennessee Foundation, the fundraiser is a gala celebration that raises money for the museum, allowing it to grow its permanent collection and bring in nationally recognized exhibitions.

Spectrum will be at the Hunter, 10 Bluff View, on Nov. 9 and 11. The first night will include a cocktail party, heavy hors D’oeuvres, a silent art auction and for the first time, an after party with a DJ on the 24-hour terrace.

On Saturday, a black-tie gala is planned with guests getting a glass of champagne on their way into the atrium for cocktails, followed by a seated dinner and live auction on the river terrace. Fatherson duo Jim and Dan Kennedy will emcee the auction. Live music and dancing with “toddies and treats” will wrap up the evening in the artrium.

“We’re so grateful for the support the Hunter receives from the community,” said Executive Director Virginia Anne Sharber, “and want to give a special thanks to First Tennessee for its 20th year as the Spectrum presenting sponsor. We’re looking forward to two spectacular evenings, and are super excited about a new element of Thursday night’s silent auction: an after party with a DJ on the 24 hour terrace.”

Gala ticket holders are automatically invited to the Thursday night cocktail party, but the silent auction can be attended as an independent event.

Spectrum is chaired this year by Julia and Keith Sanford. Holly and Marc Harwell are the Art Selection chairs and along with a committee have visited galleries from Charleston to Chicago searching for a wide selection of art pieces for the two auctions.

Tickets to the silent auction, $100 each, may be purchased now at www.huntermuseum.org/events/spectrum-cocktailparty. To purchase individual gala tickets for $500, a $5,000 table of 10, or to become a Spectrum sponsor, contact Aly Haugland at 423-752-2045.

CONTRIBUTED PHOTOS Gala attendees enjoy a seated dinner, a live auction and a party.

The silent auction on Thursday, Nov. 9, is a good opportunity for new collectors to get involved and go home with a beautiful piece of art for a little less money.

“Okeanos III” is a pastel-on-paper piece by Kathleen Holder done in 2012.

Patrick Burns did this original newsprint, acrylic, polymer, resin-onpanel piece called “Civil Rights Bill” in 2016.

“Dexter Gordon, Royal Roost, NYC” is a gelatin silver print done by Herman Leonard from a 1948 negative.