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JAMESTOWN – Infinity Visual and Performing Arts will be hosting its 5th Annual Art Market and Auction on Saturday, March 9 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Infinity Arts Café in Jamestown. This event will be a mid-campaign celebration to Infinity’s Step Up for the Arts Annual Campaign event.

WRFA’s Jason Sample recently talked with Infinity executive director Shane Hawkins and associate director Mariah Melendy to get more details about the event.

The art market will feature work for sale from an eclectic variety of talented local artists, an art auction of locally made art (auction proceeds to benefit Infinity), and an array of fun, family and arts-based activities including an Infinity student art show. Infinity’s Art Market and Auction will features 20 or more artists.

This year’s Art Auction will feature a private collection of pottery and ceramic art created by the late Douglas Hay as well as pieces from local artists. Douglas’ wife Carol Hay generously donated these auction items to Infinity for the Art Market and Auction event. All proceeds from the auction will support music and arts education experiences for young people at the Infinity Center.

Auction items can be viewed online at Infinity’s Local Artist Showcase Facebook page at: www.Facebook.com/LocalArtistShowcase. Online pre-bids are also being accepted until Friday, March 8.

“With all of the talented artists, both at Infinity, and throughout the area, I feel fortunate to be able to bring so many of them together for this event,” said Infinity Associate Director and event coordinator Mariah Melendy. “Come check out the incredible arts and craftsmanship associated with Infinity.”

Featured artists for the 2019 event include:

• Ashley Ordines
• Jacob Swanson
• Kate Rinko
• Lisa Offhaus
• Catherine Walsh
• Susan Schwartz
• Laurie McGrath
• Linda Certo
• John Andrea
• Renee Pye
• Mariah Melendy
• Daniel Marchini
• Marie Stewart
• and more.

Tickets for Infinity Art Market and Auction are $5 per person, and will be available for purchase at the door on the day of the event. Children 18 and under will be admitted free of charge. Family friendly activities such as face painting, art activities, a student art exhibit, and live music will also take place during this year’s event.

For more information call (716) 664-0991 or visit InfinityPerformingArts.org.

The Infinity Arts Café is located at 300 East 3rd Street in the Lynn Building in Jamestown. Look for the neon blue guitar.

The Creations Art Program of The Resource Center is hosting an Art Life Conference on Thursday, Nov. 1 and Friday, Nov. 2. The conference is designed to bring together art educators and professionals working with people with disabilities and high-pressure situations to network and attend workshops. An art exhibition and auction will be open to the public on November 2. The conference will be held at the Lillian V. Ney Renaissance Center.

Keynote speaker, Lucy Andrus, will open the conference on Thursday November 1.  Leading workshops for the rest of Thursday will be visual artist Debra Eck, art facilitator Valeriae Walawender, Arc community relations director Lynne Sessions and hand drumming instructor, T.R. McKotch.

Among Friday’s workshop leaders are painter Thomas Annear, yoga instructor Tess Kerzner, puppet and mask-maker Renee Pye and photographer, Mark Kirsch. A live art auction and exhibit will close the conference on Friday evening.

Registration for each day is $50.

Art Life Conference is made possible by The Resource Center’s Creations Art Program with support from Downtown Jamestown Development Corporation and Arts Council For Chautauqua County.

For full schedule and registration information, visit www.artlifecon.com.