Westobou is entering its blue period.
On March 27, the downtown gallery will host its inaugural Westohue party, and it’s all about the blue.
“It’s a monochromatic color party and live auction experience,” said Matt Porter, Westobou director.
New works of 10 artists — Namwon Choi, Jay Jacobs, Katie Kameen, Joe Kameen, Chase Lanier, Jocelyn Pope, Edward Rice, Hasani Sahlehe, Staci Swider and Mary Grace Wynn — incorporate that color theme and will be auctioned.
The food will also be blue, but Porter said it won’t be blue cupcakes on the menu. Think of fare such as blue crab beignets and other blue-themed bites by Walcott’s Private Catering with drinks from Savannah River Brewing Co.
The night will also include a raffle with $1,000 worth of goodies plus a special envelope auction wall by Leonard “Porkchop” Zimmerman; vöxnbāss will provide music.
Each of Porkchop’s envelopes will feature different price points and special items including some mini blue sock monkey robots that pay tribute to his downtown barrel of monkeys’ sculpture, sketches that have been his sketchpads but never became paintings and other pieces, Porter said.
“People relate to his art on a personal level,” he said.
Artist Sahlehe has seen his career explode since he was the teaching artist at the Morris Museum of Art from 2019-2021 and had an exhibition at the Westobou Gallery during that time.
“He’s been having a phenomenal career,” said Porter.
One of Sahlehe’s paintings recently became part of the High Museum’s permanent collection.
Westohue is a fundraiser for the gallery.
“We were looking for a fundraiser model that felt like us,” he said.
The fun starts at 6 p.m. Tickets are $100 and patrons can join in the fun by wearing their best blue outfit. Westobou members will receive a 20% discount. Go here for tickets.
Charmain Z. Brackett, the publisher of Augusta Good News and Inspiring: Women of Augusta, has covered Augusta’s news for more than 35 years. She’s a Georgia Press Association award winner. Reach her at charmain@augustagoodnews.com. Sign up for the newsletter here.
