Fine art students at the University of Saskatchewan have few opportunities to showcase and promote their artwork to the public — and even fewer opportunities to sell it. The Visual Arts Student’s Union seeks to provide a solution to this problem with their annual silent art auction Silence!

This winter’s show marks the 17th anniversary of Silence! Student artwork will be displayed in the Gordon Snelgrove gallery on campus Dec. 1–5 for the viewing pleasure of interested buyers and art lovers. After having their time to shine on the gallery walls and floor, these same art pieces will be available for purchase during the silent auction on the evening of Dec. 5 that caps off the four-day event with delicious food and drinks, live entertainment, door prizes and a photobooth.

“It’s just fun to go to a cultural event and I don’t think you hear too much about the arts at the U of S,” said Christine Czajkowski, VASU’s publications coordinator. Silence! “is like a statement for the arts students because it allows them to showcase their work.”

The proceeds gathered from the auction are divided evenly between the artist and VASU itself, the latter of which enables the student-run group to offer scholarships and workshops such as figure drawing sessions to both its members and the public.

In addition to providing an opportunity for young artists to sell their work, Silence! allows students to experience what may be their first time displaying their art in a true gallery setting. Having one’s artwork critiqued and available for the public to purchase enables VASU members to both broaden their academic horizons and grow as artists.

The pieces that will be for sale at the auction are a selection of over 180 unique creations that U of S students have made.

“From what I’ve seen, there’s paintings and lots of prints,” said Kenton Doupe, poster designer and event planner for VASU. “A majority of it — including my own work — is scanned copies of graphite drawings reprinted to a different size.”

With cocktails, appetizers, prizes and silent auction night, Silence! may seem a tad ritzy to some, but Doupe assures any interested attendees that there will be art that is well within the range of a student budget.

“Most pieces will be around $25 to $50 and may extend to a couple hundred for special works,” said Doupe. “It’s more geared towards pricing for students, not art connoisseurs.”

VASU members may submit up to 10 pieces of their work and are able to set their own prices, which allows them to experience the business aspect of being an artist. The event usually draws in a crowd of around 200 people, some of whom may be interested in commissioning the artists after viewing their work.

On top of being able to purchase beautiful art pieces, attendees can enter to win a variety of door prizes that include gift certificates from local businesses, art supplies, sample paints and the VASU executive’s special “gag gift”.

“The gag gift is a cheesy ‘how to be become an artist’ kit,” said Stephanie Mah, president of VASU.

The evening will be kicked up a notch with the musical stylings of U of S fine arts student Emily Kohlert, who moonlights as both DJ Dandy Lion and pianist for local band Dream Country.

In contrast with most gallery exhibits, Silence! does not subscribe to one unified theme. Artists are encouraged to submit utterly unique and diverse creations which ensures that those bidding on the artwork will have an impressive variety of pieces to enjoy and possibly even take home to display in their own homes.

An invaluable event that supports young local talent, Silence! has been the proud voice of the small but tight-knit artistic community of VASU for almost two decades, so why not celebrate that along with them — while gorging yourself on free appies and drinks, of course.

The Silence! silent auction will be held free of admission at the Gordon Snelgrove gallery on Dec. 5 from 7–9:30 p.m.