Auction for Life benefiting UK Art Professor Ross Zirkle

Auction for Life
benefiting UK Art Professor Ross Zirkle
Silent Auction / Benefit
Saturday, July 29, and Sunday, July 30, 2006, 2 - 6 pm
Admission to gallery is free and open to the public.
Wingspan Gallery,
191 Jefferson Street,
Lexington, KY 40508

Lexington, Ky. - Wingspan Gallery will host a silent Auction for Life, benefiting UK Art Professor Ross Zirkle, Saturday, July 29 and Sunday, July 30, 2006, from 2 - 6 pm. The auction will feature artworks donated by local, national and international artists. Zirkle was recently diagnosed with Stage 4 cancer. All proceeds from the auction will be put toward his medical expenses.

"He's one of those people who always thinks of others," said Wingspan Gallery's Livia Theodoli-Wing. "He's one of the nicest people I know, and you want to be able help him."

Zirkle will receive chemotherapy and other standard cancer treatments, in addition to naturopathic therapies. Although Zirkle carries health insurance, he faces significant deductible and out-of-pocket expenses, said Theodoli-Wing.

Zirkle came to Lexington after receiving a Master of Fine Arts in Printmaking from the University of Oregon. He is a Tamarind Master Printer and an active member in various Central Kentucky art organizations. Zirkle is currently an assistant professor in the University of Kentucky's Art Department, where he teaches printmaking and figure drawing. He also regularly hosts an open Life Drawing Studio workshop for UK students and the public.

"I think in a lot of ways, he has touched every artist's life in Lexington, particularly with the Life Drawing Studio over at UK," says Lexington artist Charley Jolly, who considers Zirkle a close friend. "He's really kept it alive over the years. [Drawing] is a building block in art students' professional lives, and Ross is it."

"Before I met him, I kept hearing from other artists about this larger-than-life force over in the UK Art Department," said Jolly." And when I finally met him, I found this quiet, unassuming person, who wants more than anything to help you find your own way."

"Ross is an artist's artist," said Allison Kaiser, Executive Director of the Lexington Art League. "He is fully emerged and engaged, not only in his own creative work, but in enthusiastically teaching anyone who wants to learn." Kaiser noted that Zirkle has been instrumental in helping her organization over the years. He has led exhibit tours, helped the League to find nationally recognized jurors for its shows, and has submitted his own artwork to various exhibits.

"Ross never says 'no,'" she continued. "His help and support have been tremendously important in helping the Lexington Art League to move forward, and to inspire the best from our local artists.

Drop-off days for donated artwork at Wingspan Gallery will be Monday, July 24 through Wednesday, July 26, 2006. Wingspan requests donating artists call ahead to arrange drop-off. Artwork donation pledges have come to organizers from far and wide, said Theodoli-Wing.

”We've already had an artist from Great Britain donate two pieces."
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WHO: Auction for Life, benefiting UK Art Professor Ross Zirkle
WHAT: Silent Auction / Benefit
WHEN: Saturday, July 29, and Sunday,


July 30, 2006, 2 - 6 pm
WHERE: Wingspan Gallery, 191 Jefferson Street, Lexington , KY 40508
COST: Admission to gallery is free and open to the public.
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Artwork to be auctioned
NOTE: Wingspan Gallery can only accept cash or check for artwork
purchased at the auction.
MORE INFO: Derrick Riley, Auction for Life Co-organizer, 859.608.4382,
or drockpress@hotmail.com
Carleton Wing, Wingspan Gallery, 859.225.5675, or cwing@wingspangallery.com
Livia Theodoli-Wing, Wingspan Gallery, 859.225.5675, or
livia@wingspangallery.com
WEB: About Ross Zirkle:
https://www.uky.edu/FineArts/Art/faculty/zirkle/zirkle.html
About Wingspan Gallery:
http://www.wingspangallery.com/
Jonathan R. Goolsby
Marketing, Media and Membership Specialist
Lexington Art League
jgoolsby@lexingtonartleague.org
859.254.7024 Ext 32 Voice
859.254.7214 Fax