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The Cahoon Museum of American art will host its 29th Brush Off Festival and Art Auction on the Cotuit Village Green on Saturday, July 6th. An enduring Cape Cod tradition, the art auction serves as the Museum’s major fundraiser with nearly 150 artworks for sale in silent and live auctions. The event takes place from 9:00AM to 2:30PM, is free, and all are welcome. The day kicks off with artists painting live, en plein air, at scenic locations around Cotuit including the Village Green, Ropes Beach and Loop Beach. The public is welcome to watch the artists, learn more about their techniques, and then bid on the artwork during the live auction. The live painting portion is just the beginning of this celebration of Cape Cod artists. At 9:30AM, both the silent and live auction tents open to the public and silent auction bidding begins. Over 80 artworks will be on view and for sale. From 11:30AM to 12:30 PM, Bubbleman will provide entertainment with giant bubbles to delight children and families and Bart Weisman Smooth Jazz will provide music. Art demonstrations, the Pineapple Caper Café Food Truck, Ben and Jerry’s Ice Cream, and craft activities for children round out the entertainment. At 12:00PM sharp, the silent auction ends with a flurry of activity by last minute bidders hoping to acquire a favorite artwork. At 1:00PM the live auction begins with auctioneer Charlie Bailey-Gates and art lovers are invited to bring a lawn chair, enjoy the action, and join the bidding. Over 50 artworks will be up for auction during this high-energy climax to a full day of festivities. Artworks in a variety of media are available, including oil, acrylic and watercolor paintings, prints, ceramics and painted wood. This year’s offerings feature two prints by notable 20th Century American modernist Herman Maril, whose work was featured in a 2018 exhibition at the Museum, and a painting of Cotuit Village created especially for the auction by renowned regional artist Elizabeth Mumford. A perennial favorite - a Ralph Cahoon print signed by all the players of the Cotuit Kettleers baseball team - will also be up for bid. Artworks included in the auction may be previewed on the Museum’s website, cahoonmuseum.org. The event is sponsored by Robert Paul Properties, Cultural Center of Cape Cod, Grover Custom Building Inc., and Leonard Insurance Agency. The auction began in 1990 as a means to call attention to the artistic excellence of Cape artists, and as an important way to raise money to support the Museum. It remains the Museum’s major fundraiser, generating revenue to support excellence in exhibitions and educational programs. Participating artists donate a portion of the sales of the artworks to support the Museum, with many donating 100% of the selling price. A number of artists have participated in the event since its early years including Sam Barber, Carol Garvey, Jane Lincoln, Susie O’Brien McClean, Susan O’Connor, Tim Struna, Christie Velesig, and Linda Young. Artists working live on location this year include Mary Ann Agresti, Betsy Payne Cook, Jason Eldredge, Joe Gallant, Kathryn Kleekamp, Jane Lincoln, Marion Nicastro, Kevin Nolan, Suzanne Packer, John Ricciardi and David Sigel. Artists participating in the live auction include Corinne Bellingham, Sandi Blanda, Howard L. Bonington, Don Cadoret, Robert Cardinal, Neil Collins, Marjorie Collis, Betsy Payne Cook, Jeffrey Dinardo, Jane Eccles, Kathy Edmonston, Joe Gallant, Syd Hale, Marieluise Hutchinson, Hilary Hutchison, Eric Kaiser, Kathryn Kleekamp, Jane Lincoln, Isabella Luff, Christy Marinelli, Frank Marinelli, Alison McMurry, Doris Mee, Elizbeth Mumford, Rosalie Nadeau, Marian Nicastro, Pat Nickerson, Bill Noble, Susan O'Brien McLean, Sandy O'Connor, Carol O'Dell, Gary Oro, Carol-Jean O'Toole, Suzanne Packer, Richard Perry, John A. Ricciardi, Amy Rice, Al Rich, Gretchen Romey-Tanzer, Candice Ronesi, David Sigel, Susan Simon, Lee G. Smith, Timothy Jon Struna, Scott Terry, Christie Velesig, Lance Walker , Lynn Wallin, Linda Young and Joyce Zavorskas. The Museum, located on Route 28 at the intersection of Route 130, was founded by Cotuit resident Rosemary Rapp and is celebrating its 35th anniversary. The homestead was built by Zenas Crocker in 1782, later became the home and gallery of notable folk artists Ralph and Martha Cahoon, and today serves as one of the region’s most innovative art museums. Along with galleries in the historic house, the Museum has a 3600 square foot addition which includes a state of the art gallery space as well as a museum shop. The Museum hosts rotating historical and contemporary art exhibitions and this summer’s featured gallery exhibition is Exquisite Shells: The Art of Sailors Valentines and Konstantin Dimopoulos: The Blue Trees is located on the Museum grounds. For more information about the Brush Off Festival and Art Auction and to see the artwork included in the auction, visit cahoonmuseum.org.