Troy Neimann creating a lunch box for auction

On Friday, April 23 at La Encantada Shopping Center in Tucson a fundraiser titled, Urban Picnic 2010, will be a luncheon gathering for art lovers and collectors of every kind. This unique event begins with a silent auction of juried artwork by some of the area’s top artists.

This exciting fundraiser will be benefiting Ballet Tucson and BICAS and will include mimosas and an al fresco picnic lunch provided by Armitage Wine Lounge & Cafe.  You can also take in a live performance by Ballet Tucson artists and musical entertainment by Ed DeLucia Jazz Trio.

Selected local artists have been invited to submit original lunchbox creations.  Aside from a handle and an opening, these vessels have nothing in common with your traditional lunchbox.  From whimsical to elegant forms, each is a unique work of art.

William Skiles and his creative artwork

The day will culminate with a fun and energetic live auction for the creative lunchboxes and other exceptional artwork.  Participating artists include William A. Skiles (of Got All Your Marbles fame who has donated a lunchbox to every Urban Picnic since its inception), Troy Neimann (a new lunchbox artist from BICAS), Vytas Sakalas, Sara Spanjers, Barbara Farmilant, Curt Brill, and Barbara Gurwitz.  Besides lunchboxes, art from internationally known distinguished artists such as Don Weller, Manuel DeLeon, Ross Stefan, and Paul VerBurg will be featured in the live auction.

For more information or to reserve tickets, call Ballet Tucson at 903-1445.  Ticket price is $45.00 per person. To view art that will be auctioned at Urban Picnic 2010, go to www.ballettucson.org .

Location: La Encantada Shopping Center – 2905 E. Skyline Dr.

Hours:  Friday, April 23, 2010 (10:00 am – 2:00 pm)

Ballet Tucson is a professional company of versatile and beautifully trained artists.  Over the years, many of its members have danced professionally with companies of national stature such as American Ballet Theatre, New York City Ballet, San Francisco Ballet, Ballet West, Alvin Ailey, Boston Ballet, and Dance Theatre of Harlem to name just a few.

Now in its 24th season, the company entertains the Tucson community with historic classics as well as innovative contemporary works offering something for everyone’s taste.  In addition, an exceptional children’s company of more than 100 perform alongside Ballet Tucson’s professionals in family-oriented productions such as The Nutcracker, Cinderella, Sleeping Beauty and Swan Lake.

The artistic excellence of the company, along with its continued growth and success, allow Ballet Tucson to claim its place as the premier dance company in Tucson and Southern Arizona.

BICAS is an education center, not a traditional bike shop, started in late 1989 as Bootstraps to Share, an organization designed to help folks attain work, shelter, food, and transportation.  Over the years, the organization has honed its focus to providing sustainable transportation, bicycle maintenance, and art education to youth, refugees, and under-served communities.

Since BICAS’s founding, they have trained thousands of youth and adults from all walks of life in the trade of bicycle repair, maintenance and safety, and restored thousands of bicycles, saving them from the waste stream.  BICAS has also contributed many bike-related works of functional art that can be seen all over Tucson in the form of bike racks, security fences, lighting fixtures, and other structural features, as well as traditional aesthetic works of jewelry and art.