Two 'Hot' for Your Eyes
A double shot of steaming art at W&TW and Camp Fig
By Rachel Koper, Fri., Sept. 17, 2004
I like big art shows, so I really enjoyed previewing the 187-artist Red Hot • Red Dot sale at Women & Their Work. The annual show brings together artwork from a diverse swath of Austin's creative community. This year includes contributions from independent artists such as Steve Wiman, Bob Wade, Madelon Umlauf, Marc Silva, John Sager, Martha Peters, Anna Marie Pavlik, Andrew Long, Roi James, Pat Falconer, John Christensen, Heather Brand, Paul Beck, Jennifer Balkan, Connie Arismendi, Ben Appl, and Stella Alesi.
Some of these artists are among the dozens who have shown in the W&TW gallery, and they return the favor by donating top pieces year after year. As an artist's career develops, so do her gallery affiliations, but goodwill stays put. The true curator of the show is not a single person but a mixture of benevolence, artistic pride, peer pressure, and a sense of community.
That's exemplified in the somewhat rare cross-gallery pollination evident in the show. Kate Breakey (Stephen L. Clark Gallery), now living in Arizona, mailed in a piece. Top Wally Workman Gallery artists contribute, folks like Jan Heaton, Gordon Fowler, and Mary Fischer. David Berman sends a slew of talent around the corner: Lance Letscher, Faith Gay, Virginia Fleck, and Naomi Schlinke. Even some UT professors – Bob Anderson, Michael Mogavero, Janet Kastner, and Susan Whyne – participate. (Way to get off campus!)
So this fundraiser is a great way to catch up with all your favorite artists, even some of the good ones who moved away. And every item is priced under $500! If you're just starting a collection, a fundraiser is a great opportunity to buy name artists' work at great prices. It may be sinful to gamble, covet, and fight your way to the bargains, but seeing this quality work clustered together gets a person pretty excited. I want to liberate some of these pieces – take them away to my home and give them pet names. It's a challenge to choose just one. 
The Red Hot • Red Dot sale is Friday, Sept. 17, 6-8:30pm, at Women & Their Work, 1710 Lavaca. Admission that night is $50, but sale art is on display through Saturday, Oct. 2. For more information, call 477-1064 or visit www.womenandtheirwork.org.
