Consuming art and cupcakes to support the local scene

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This article was published 10/04/2025 (530 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Mentoring Artists for Women’s Art (MAWA) is hoping this year’s annual auction takes the (cup)cake.

The art show and sale brings together 193 established and emerging local artists who have each contributed a work for the Over the Top Art auction.

Taking place across three days, the event culminates with an all-you-can-eat cupcake party on Sunday afternoon.

Now in its 21^st year, the silent auction raises funds that enable the non-profit to finance its roster of programs, including workshops, lectures, mentorships and cross-cultural craft activities.

Contributing artists include such local luminaries as Diana Thorneycroft, Paul Robles, William Eakin, Dominique Rey, Keith Oliver and Ione Thorkelsson. Each artist will donate a portion of the proceeds from the sale of their work to MAWA.

The organization is hoping to raise more than $30,000.

This is a not-to-be-missed event for those looking to buy their first artwork, MAWA co-executive director Shawna Dempsey says.

“It’s a good place to start your journey as a collector. By seeing this much work together, you can hone in on your focus and discover what you are attracted to. Works are in all different mediums; there is textile work, jewelry, sculptural work, photography, paintings, drawings and ceramics,” says Dempsey, who is also an award-winning performance artist.

“This is an opportunity to have something unique.”

While there is no entrance fee to attend the opening party on Friday or the art preview on Saturday, those who wish to make a bid will have to purchase a ticket before they can put in an offer.

Dempsey says Friday and Saturday are a good time to peruse the works on display; the last day is when the show is at its busiest, with attendees browsing, bidding or just enjoying the free cupcakes.

The final bidding session on Sunday is a ticketed event (advance tickets cost $10).

Visitors can start placing bids as of Friday. Bids start at $60, increasing by increments of $20 or more.

Artwork is separated into six colour-coded auction lots, each with its own closing time on Sunday.

Each work has a corresponding bidding sheet on the wall and lists the minimum starting bid. Your ticket number doubles as your bidding number.

A warning is given before each lot closes and a siren signals when a lot is closed. Once a bid has been made it cannot be retracted. Winning bidders can take their art home, while absent winners will be notified by phone next week.

av.kitching@freepress.mb.ca