BRIDGET MORRISON

Silence! is the University of Saskatchewan Visual Arts Students’ Union’s annual student art auction. Since its creation 18 years ago, Silence! has grown in popularity and attendance with more art and more fun — and this year promises to continue that trend.

VASU represents the studio art and art history students at the U of S, but anyone who is taking art classes or simply interested in art can join the club. VASU hosts student receptions, model drawing sessions, art crawls and workshops.

Through these events, VASU’s goal is to help students get involved with the visual art world. Christine Czajkowski, co-president of VASU, feels it’s important to connect art students to the community outside the university.

“VASU is determined to keep everyone informed of what’s going on in the Saskatoon art world,” Czajkowski said.

Silence! is VASU’s biggest annual event, with close to 200 pieces of art submitted last year for the silent auction. Students who are members of VASU can submit their work, which can be from their school courses or from their own personal practices. This event is not curated, which means that students have the freedom to submit their art without any specific guidelines. However, each student can submit no more than 10 pieces.

Students submit their artwork with a registration form for each piece, which can be found on VASU’s Facebook or Tumblr page. At Silence! you will see a variety of art disciplines such as painting, drawing, printmaking, multimedia, photography and sculpture.

“The variety of pieces really shows a statement of the diverse practices happening at the U of S,” Czajkowski said.

The name of the event is ironic, though, since Silence! will be anything but quiet. The night will be filled with food, wine, local craft beer, music and of course the varied art itself. There will also be a photo booth and a raffle draw — something for everyone to make sure it’s a great night.

For the auctioning part of the evening, each bidder will be given an alias to bid under. At the end of the night, VASU will compile the bidding sheets and announce the final bidders. Winners can pay for and take home their unique artwork that night.

Don’t worry if you can’t stay the whole night — you can still bid. If you are unable to stay the entire evening but do win a piece of art, VASU will notify you and you will have until Dec. 6 to pay for and pick up your piece.

You can feel good about how all the money raised is distributed. VASU members who submit their work will receive 75 per cent of the purchase price, while VASU itself keeps the other 25 per cent. This 25 per cent is used to fund events and services all year, as Silence! is the only major event that supports VASU.

VASU’s yearlong practices include weekly meetings, an active effort to update its members on important art-related events and opportunities and the chance to establish connections with artists to learn how the industry works.

Silence! will be held at the Gordon Snelgrove Gallery on campus and you can check out the art prior to the event from Nov. 30 to Dec. 4 — maybe you can even start planning your bids early! The gala and silent auction will be held at 7 p.m. on the final evening. Entrance is free, but don’t forget to bring cash or your chequebook if you’re planning to make a bid or purchase drinks — the bar is by donation.

It’s shaping up to be a fun-filled night, so on Dec. 4, make your way over to the Gordon Snelgrove Gallery and enjoy the evening in good company.

“[Silence!] is all about coming together to support the arts. That’s what matters!” Czajkowski said.

For more information on Silence! or VASU, find them on Facebook, Tumblr or Instagram or send them a message at vasu.uofs@gmail.com.