In addition to bidding on original art pieces, shoppers can purchase reproductions printed on posters and notecard sets as well as limited edition holiday six-packs of beer from local breweries any time between Dec. 4 to 11 through the Leucadia 101 (L101).
Executive Director Annika Walden stressed the association’s dedication to supporting local businesses and artists, saying the upcoming holiday retail season called for creativity on the part of the L101.
“Leucadia is known as the ‘art and soul of Encinitas’ and we wanted to bring local art to our community during the holidays, especially because we chose to forgo our beloved annual LeucadiART Walk this summer,” Walden said. “We are thrilled to continue our long-standing support of local artists and hope the community will bid generously to support them as well.”
Participating artist Pepa Ivanoff believes the auction’s title, “Collective Introspection,” relates not only to the local fine art community but to the world as a whole.
“Introspection is about looking within and understanding yourself,” Ivanoff said. “I believe that during COVID a lot of us have begun to think more collectively.”
Ivanoff, a painter, mural artist and graphic designer, moved to Leucadia 16 years ago from her native country of Australia. In keeping with the introspection theme, her auction piece is a stand-alone painted Flamingo installation.
“For me, the flamingo represents accepting yourself and accepting where you are in life,” Ivanoff said. “Don’t be afraid to stand out. Don’t be afraid to be a flamingo amongst a flock of pigeons.”
LaMonte Lamoreaux, a featured Cardiff painter, sees the art showcased as unique symbols of a defining moment in the country, auctioning his own painting titled, “Coastal Kin.”
“I was inspired by the community of wonderful people, friends and neighbors that really want to work together to reopen the schools and keep businesses open,” Lamoreaux said. “My piece is about the community we live in and the ocean we are drawn to.”
Like many creatives, both Lamoreaux and Ivanoff have found themselves inspired to experiment and expand their creative processes as a result of the additional time at home during the pandemic.
“I’m raising two little girls in Cardiff and this is what we do a lot now,” Lamoreaux said. “We’re painting and creating a lot together, laughing a lot together and that is reflected in my style.”
According to Walden, the virtual auction’s success will determine whether L101 will host additional virtual events supporting local creatives in the coming year.
“Our artists have been left out of the conversation since COVID,” Walden said. “Anything [L101] can do to help the community out, even if just a little bit, we’re going to do it”
All pieces featured in “Collective Introspection,” including original works of art, posters, as well as six-packs holiday beer will be available for pick up at the Leucadia 101 office Dec. 16 to 17 from 12 to 6 p.m.
Featured artists include Jonny Alexander, Jack Antal, Loryn Cook, Laura Fischer, Chase Hartman, Pepa Ivanoff, Kate Joiner, Joel Kaneshiro, Roy Kerckhoffs, Troy Kingman, Kuni Kobashi, LaMonte Lamoureux, Jeannine Moeder, Laurie Nasica, Zach Smith and Charley Taylor with bidding beginning between $85 to $250.
Bids on holiday six-packs start at $15 and feature Duck Foot Brewing Co., Guthrie CiderWorks, Local Roots, Luna Bay Booch, Rosé Water, Saint Archer Brewing, Tiny Bubbles and Topo Chico.
