Artists are on point at banner auction

The beautiful, hand-painted banners that have graced light poles throughout Nye Beach will soon be auctioned off, as is tradition, to raise money for kids’ arts programs.

A kick-off party will take place this Saturday, Oct. 26, at the Newport Visual Arts Center where guests can view the banners while enjoying light refreshments.

Bidding opens on 1 pm at Saturday and closes at 5 pm on November 1. All bidding takes place online.

Banners will be available to view at the gallery during regular open hours until bidding closes.

Founded and coordinated by Veronica Lundell, the banner project is a program of the Nye Beach Merchants Association. Each year, seasoned artists and first-time art makers donate their time and talents to create original works of art on canvas banners.

The association provides blank canvas banners for the artists, who are encouraged to depict some element of Nye Beach — be it music, dance, acting, writing, art, architectural elements or natural elements — on one side and on the other side, a quote that is thought-provoking, smile-inducing or simply “Nye Beach.” Each year artists are also welcome to create their banner based on an additional, timely theme. This year, the project’s additional theme celebrated pollinators.

Saturday’s kick-off party runs from noon to 5 pm at the Newport Visual Arts Center, located at 777 NW Beach Drive and is open Wednesday through Sunday from noon to 4 pm. For more information, go to coastarts.org or call 541-265-6540.