SAAG is psyched for ArtFrenzy— the local art museum’s popular annual fund-raising event.

 But, due to Covid 19 The Southern Alberta Art Gallery is thinking out of the box so the  twenty-eighth annual ArtFrenzy will be an online auction of 44 artworks and 16 gift packages.
 While the actual auction is tomorrow, Saturday, Nov. 21, there are three one hour long Champagne Previews tonight, Nov. 20.

“It’s our annual signature fundraising event, but because of Covid, our usual live auction party will be a virtual event this year. There are 44 artworks and 16 different experiences to bid on,” said SAAG Executive director Kristy Trinier, noting there has already been a frenzy of  interest in early bidding since bidding opened on Nov. 13. Bidding closes at 9 p.m., Nov. 21.

She noted it was a priority to ensure Art Frenzy is a safe as an event as possible.

“It has been a challenging process. But we’re very thankful for the art community’s support of this non-profit gallery,” she said.

The participating artists, who donated their work to ArtFrenzy including University of Lethbridge professors, students, alumni and community members, many of whom have been part of previous SAAG exhibits.
 They have utilized a variety of different mediums including paint, photography, graphic design, crafts, needlepoint, fabric art, leather work, needlepoint, sculpture and more.  Trinier was excited by the different perspectives all the different artists brought to the table.

Lethbridge based writer, artist, dancer and musician Jeff Godin hopes people will identify with the story of his life.

Godin recently released the first half of his heartfelt biography “ Bears Falling From Trees with Erections: Diary of an Indigenous Dude:Book 1” through Eaglespeaker Publishing.

 It chronicles his life in Lethbridge’s arts scene from Feb. 26, 2016 to Aug. 7, 2017, while flashing back to his memories of days growing up as an indigenous youth being shuttled between foster homes and group homes in the ’70s and ’80s, while touching on his battles with addiction and abuse, run ins with police and adventures in nature with his friends. It also offers tantalizing hints about his experiences being in the military and other future adventures including performing with Calgary theatre groups like the Green Fools and performing at the Calgary Stampede.

 His adventures in the Lethbridge arts scene are particularly interesting, as while he rarely uses last names for his characters, people familiar with the scene will recognize some of the names.

The first book covers up to his age  18 or 19.
“I wrote my whole story but it was like 800 pages. So the publisher cut it in half. When it sells 150 copies, they’ll release book two,” he said, noting 40 copies have already sold on Amazon.

“I just wrote my story. I forgot some things, but most of the time I got the right stuff in it and touched on the most important things,” he said.
 It is heartfelt and honest, almost too honest in places, and a little rough.
“ It’s not for everyone,”’ Godin said.