January 8-14, 2004
artpicks
The Hut Auction
Art
In the '90s, there was no better place for found objects to come home to roost than The Hut. Artists Steve Stormer, Kate Bartoldus, Charlie Szoradi and others took over a former Baptist church at Eighth and Girard and turned it into a storehouse for old architectural elements, scrap metal, kitchen equipment -- whatever was left in the trash heap the night before. Party venue, artist residence and gallery in one, The Hut was a recyclable nirvana for creative folks like the Dumpster Divers to make junk into art. Stormer passed away last year, leaving behind a stunning array of glass artworks but also even more of the miscellany so well utilized by Philly artists over the years. Perhaps there's no better way to remember glass artist and teacher Stormer than with an auction of his beloved collectibles. Among the several thousand items up for grabs are "a giant amoebic-shaped stainless steel pool," large Ronald McDonald and Grimace figures, ladders, gurneys, toys, pallet shelving, chains, car parts, saws and random hoozits and whatchamacallits. Todd Kimmell will oversee the auction, with an early bird preview at 8 a.m. Proceeds will go toward a scholarship in Stormer's name for young glass artists.
The Hut Auction, Sat., Jan. 10, free, 8 a.m. preview, 10 a.m. auction, 960 N. Eighth St., 609-386-8786.
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