The beautiful, hand-painted banners currently gracing light poles throughout Nye Beach will soon be auctioned off, as is tradition, to raise money for youth arts programs offered through the Oregon Coast Council for the Arts (OCCA). A total of thirty-seven banners are included in this year’s auction, with bidding taking place November 4th through November 11th, 2023. Banner catalogs and cards will also be offered for sale – no bidding required.
Founded and coordinated by Veronica Lundell, the Nye Beach Banner Project sees seasoned artists and first-time art makers alike donate their time and talents to create original works of art on canvas banners. The delightful, unique results are then displayed throughout the Nye Beach area in the summer and early fall, before being auctioned off. Each year there is a theme is provided, to help inspire the artists. This year’s theme honors the 50th anniversary of the U.S. Endangered Species Act (ESA); Art as a means of galvanizing people to learn about, and take action to help, threatened and endangered species locally, statewide, and nationally.
While most of the artists reside in the Lincoln County Area, this is the fourth year that banners have been exchanged between Newport and its Sister City in Mombetsu, Japan. This year four banners from local artists were sent to Mombetsu, and five banners from Mombetsu artists were shipped back to Newport. Those banners will be offered as part of the auction, along with the others.
“The annual banner project represents the best of the community,” said Sara Siggelkow, Arts Engagement Manager for OCCA, “From those who turn drop cloths into banners, to the artists themselves, to the volunteers hanging the banners, and everyone behind the scenes who donates of their time and talent to keep this project going. It not only helps to beautify the neighborhood, but it also raises much-needed funds for youth arts education.”
A kick-off party will take place on Saturday, November 4th from 12pm – 5pm on the 2nd floor of the Newport Visual Arts Center (VAC). The event will feature refreshments and live music by Ronnie Pirrello.
All bidding will take place online at www.32auctions.com/nyebeachbanner2023. Those interested in bidding are encouraged to visit the site now and create an account, to help them bid more quickly when the auction opens. (Historically, some of the banners reach the maximum bid very quickly.) Online banner previews will begin on November 1st. Bidding commences at 1pm on November 4th and ends at 4pm November 11th. Banners can also be viewed in person November 4th-11th on the 2nd floor of the VAC during normal business hours (Wednesday – Sunday, 12pm-4pm). The VAC is located at 777 NW Beach Drive at the Nye Beach Turn-Around. On the closing day of the auction, November 11th, a free family artmaking activity will take place from 12pm-4pm. All ages welcome (and encouraged!)
Funds raised from the Nye Beach Banner Auction help to make arts activities, camps, workshops, and scholarships available to area youth.
The Newport Visual Arts Center was built by the City of Newport as a space for public art exhibition and art education programs. It is maintained by Oregon Coast Council for the Arts.
Oregon Coast Council for the Arts is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization developing, promoting, and celebrating community arts on the Oregon Coast. Learn more at www.coastarts.org.