Museum Benefit Dinner, Art Auction set for Feb. 7 The 18th annual North Dakota Museum of Art Gala Benefit Dinner and Silent Art Auction is set for Saturday, Feb. 7, beginning at 5:30 p.m. Join us for a White Nights Celebration among family, friends, and supporters of the North Dakota Museum of Art. We want to emphasize the importance of keeping the lights bright at the Museum so we've moved White Nights from St. Petersburg, where the sun doesn't set in summer, to Grand Forks, where winter nights are dazzling. The Benefit Dinner, which is both a prominent social event and successful fundraiser for the Museum, will be held in the elegant galleries of the North Dakota Museum of Art. Dress is black tie optional, and valet service is provided. Reservations are $95 per person. The tables seat eight and arrangements can be made for parties to be seated together. This year’s honorary chairs are Dr. Robert and Marcia Kelley. Mike Jacobs and Suezette Bieri, along with Al Boucher and Thomasine Heitkamp, are co-chairing the planning committee. A dedicated volunteer committee, along with numerous sponsors, make this evening possible. Once again, this year’s underwriting sponsor is Merrill Lynch. In addition, private and corporate sponsors are committed to supporting the Benefit Dinner again this year. As with each of the previous benefits, a silent art auction will be held throughout the evening. Matthew Wallace, of the North Dakota Museum of Art, curated this year's Silent Art Auction. This year over 50 pieces from regional, national, and international artists are for sale. The Auction includes work by emerging artists as well as contemporary artisans. The pieces will be circulated throughout the dinner by walking easels. All artists’ reserve bids begin at $100. This year’s auction includes work by Helge Ederstrom, Mariah Masilko, Melanie Rocan, Punchgut, Sarah Hultin, Vivienne Morgan, William Harbort, Walter Piehl, Kathryn Lipke, Adam Kemp, Guillermo Guardia, Lena McGrath Welker, Morgan Owens, Daniel Sharbono, Ryan Frates, Jeff Amann, and many others. Several artists have donated all proceeds from the sale of their work to the Museum, as they have in the past. The artwork will be on display in Museum’s mezzanine gallery through the night of the auction. It is also available online at ndmoa.com. A major fundraising component for the auction will be a raffle for a sculpture by Guillermo Guardia. Raffle tickets are now available at the Museum at $25 per ticket. The raffle drawing will be held at the end of the evening. This year’s meal will follow the theme of the White Nights celebration with a distinct Russian flavor. Vegetarian meals will be provided with prior request. Fine wines chosen by wine connoisseur Michael McCullough accompany the meal. Jan Heitmann of All Seasons and artist Adam Kemp will design the centerpieces at each of the tables and also special gallery decorations. Proceeds from dinner reservations, and art and raffle sales are used for programming and exhibitions at the North Dakota Museum of Art. Exhibitions would not be possible without funds collected at this and other fundraising events, and generous contributions from sponsors – both corporate and individual. For information about making a reservation or volunteering, call 777-4195.