Established by artists in 1981 as a way to fund a not-for-profit gallery, the Lawrence Arts Center Annual Art Auction provides funding for the exhibitions program now occupying five spaces in the Arts Center and enriched by Art Talks, films, and more. Approximately 150 pieces generously donated by artists will be on exhibit for four weeks to be auctioned during the April 8 auction event. Bidding on auction works is an opportunity to support exhibitions at the Lawrence Arts Center – all proceeds of sales go toward continuing to support the program.
Three artists who have donated pieces for the auction are Molly Murphy, Cate Richards, and Jeff Ridgeway.
Molly Murphy creates work that embraces the inextricable links between art and science, investigating memory and its many intricacies. Her work has been shown across the United States and in Europe, and is in private and corporate collections. Alongside a rigorous studio practice, Molly has been a leader in the Lawrence community, dedicating countless hours to art collectives, public projects, curation and arts-based volunteer work. She has been a featured artist at Free State Festival, featured artist for the United Nations Association Women’s Conference, Visual Artist in Residence for Escape to Create in Seaside, Florida and served on the Board of Directors of the Lawrence Arts Center.
Cate Richards is an artist and jeweler originally from Providence, Rhode Island and currently operating out of Lawrence, Kansas. She graduated from Baker University, College of Arts and Sciences with a BA in Studio Art and Art History in 2012. Her current work explores “placehood” and the human body’s ability to inhabit and adapt to diverse spaces through adornment.
In 2016, Cate was named one of American Craft Week’s “30 Exceptional Craftspeople Under 30”, and was granted a residency at Vermont Studio Center in Johnson, VT. She was recently named the inaugural resident for the COTN Residency in Joshua Tree State Park in Southern California. She has exhibited nationally and has shown work at EatMetal Inc. in Hoboken, NJ and Lillstreet Arts Center in Chicago.
Cate balances her studio practice with her positions at The Lawrence Arts Center as Exhibitions Coordinator and a metals instructor, and is the current Portfolio Review Coordinator for the Society of North American Goldsmiths.
Jeff Ridgway is a local artist who produces humanistic paintings, drawings and sculptures that are in collections throughout the United States and Europe. He has taught Life Drawing and Anatomy for the Artist at the Arts Center for twenty four years. Jeff has also taught Oil Painting, Portraiture and Pastel classes as well as various workshops during his tenure. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Drawing, a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Painting and the Master of Fine Arts in Painting. Jeff is probably best known for his figurative work, especially portraiture, which he creates for both commission and whimsy.
