The Big Sky Art Auction, a bit more than just an art auction……
 

This is one of the signature events of Outlaw Partners, based in beautiful Big Sky Montana.
Their event mission is to create connections and inspire others to act. Certainly, the Big Sky Art
Auction does exactly this. I myself, as the Auction Art Director, have been hunting down art to
make the initial connections. We’ve invited artists to do meet and greets where more
connections will be made. We want to set the table for more organic conversations which in
the end inspire people to act.
 

Outlaw Partners is committed to keep the soul in Big Sky as Big Sky grows. I have an equation
that guides the auction, soul in equals soul out. To me it’s exciting to share the artists voice
about their work. To share the historic information behind pieces, to educate. The
conversations I have had encouraging the artists and getting to know their hearts is just a gift.
Included also are pieces from collections. I’ve spent time with the son of a deceased collector
and conveying the heart of a collector brings more soul.
 

We have panels with our theme of Collectors Collecting, yes, our auction has a theme! Dr
Michele Coriel will interview artists who have been collected. Derek Vandeberg Founder and
President of from Frame of Reference Fine Art with locations in Montana and Arizona and will
have conversations with people who help others build collections. Panels will be everyday live
at the event and replayed, kept always at bigskyartauction.com The last panel is being lead by
the one and only Tom Nygard, a veteran gallerist, who will converse with the collectors
themselves. I already have the theme for next year chosen and I simply cannot wait to hear
these panels in July. They will be live streamed and always on the site for reference.
 

Speaking of next year, kind of a secret, but we might be needed a second tent. Yep, the Big Sky Art Auction is held under a big ole “Grand Tent”. The tent is a welcoming place with music, food, gallerists on the “floor” (its wood chips) to engage with, art being created, artists to talk with as I mentioned. Technology is sometimes tricky and we have people to help with that. People who wouldn’t necessarily venture into a gallery during their time visiting Big Sky get the art brought to them. If we peak curiosity and that leads them into our local galleries, then the auction has created the rising tide that lifts all the local art boats. The energy in the tent will be exactly right, the high vibration art brings. We are preparing the stage for just that energy.
 

In that we are very much trying to create the win win win for everyone involved. The consignors
and artists set their own reserves. We are keeping bidder’s fees as low as we can. Bringing in
an auction items that are non traditional is another unique part of our auction. An example of
this is Alberto Hernandez who is a custom hat artist from Meshika who creates simply amazing
hats. We have a small live auction component to the auction on Saturday night and he will be
part of it. Everyone loves the live auction, we do offer proxy bidding and absentee bidding. The forms are on our website.
 

We also have non profits involved for a win for them. This is important community building
connection Outlaw Partners incorporates into events. People are allowed to donate all or a

percentage of their reserve to any of our non profits. This year, with the theme of Collector
Collecting, we’d like to give an opportunity for young collectors to jump in. The non profit table
will have a variety of prints for sale, with profits going to them. The auction simply facilitates
this. Everyone has the opportunity to purchase art at the art auction.
 

Our auction actually starts July 1. The event Director, Connor Clemens isn’t afraid of managing
the logistics and marketing of not one, but two preview events. The Bozeman Art Museum
hosts July 1. BAM is one of our non profits, a new museum that has already brought in and
created some incredible shows. We have a preview in Big Sky on July 8 where Julie from
Gallatin River Gallery wlll be our host. We open on the evening of July 13. With the previews
and ,with the tent open three and a half days for the public to see the art, we expand the
opportunity for the auction to be successful. We are working for the people that committed
their art to our auction. This is our first year of publishing a catalog. It will be available at the
previews as well as distributed. Last, but not least, our exciting involvement with the Western
Art Collector is a huge step in establishing our event.
 

Big Sky is a special place. This event showcases local area artists, which to me includes
neighboring states, of course, but also exciting is bringing people in from Colorado, Arizona,
New Mexico and California this year. I have my eye set on Texas.

 

Treecha Anne Fine Art is my business Patty Boyd, and my motivation in connecting people with
art works perfectly with my involvement in the Big Sky Art Auction. For me this will be my
favorite 4 days of the year, talking with people non stop about art. Loving my work, I plan on
connecting with art people year around to keep bringing the awesome to the Big Sky Art
Auction.