Trio of High School Students Get in on Rotary's St. Michael Art Event

The St. Michael-Albertville Rotary is teaming up again with local artists to take part in its annual fundraiser and auction.

"Appreciate Art, Appreciate Rotary" evening will be held from 5:30 to about 9 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 16, at the .

This year's student participants–who donated an original piece of artwork to the auction–are Keaton Van't Hull, Tyler Shustrich and Sara Jean, all seniors at the high school.

Local artists should be familiar with Van't Hull, who earned a trip to New York City last year through the Minnesota Scholastic Art Awards, and held a public auction at Lake Community Bank to raise funds for the trip.

He's made an original piece for this year's auction.

"When Ms. [teacher Kari] Halker told us about it, I was able to kind of get something in my head and do something new. It took a few hours," he said. 

Tyler and Sara, meanwhile, are both photographers. They'll be touching up some recent shots and submitting them for the auction.

"It's pretty cool," Sara said. "To think someone might have a piece of your work hangining in their house is kind of weird, but exciting."

"It's definitely not something I'd ever think of, like when I was a sophomore taking photos," Tyler said. "So that is really cool."

Van't Hull said he'll use his drawing talents in college, as he plans to major in industrial design at the University of Wisconsin-Stout. Sara, who plans to attend St. Thomas or Hamline, will continue her photography career as a hobby. Tyler plans to either major or minor in journalism/photojournalism at Wisconsin-Eau Claire.

All three students said they'll be at the Rotary event, and are excited to see how much they get on auction–though all the proceeds go to the Rotary.

Art from each elementary school in the district, and the two middle schools has also been donated.

Thursday night will also include hors d'oevres and international wine tasting, plus an art auction from State of the Art Fundraising Auctions, a traveling company that boasts hundreds of prints from dozens of renowned artists.

Tickets are just $10 in advance, and are available at several businesses around the community, including , , the senior center and library and Verizon Wireless in St. Michael.

There will also be other art for sale. The preview begins at 5:30 p.m., and the auctions will start at 7 p.m. Some pieces are popular, so getting there early to get a number and start bidding is a good idea.

More than 100 people are needed in the room to conduct the auction. At $10 a ticket, it shouldn't be too hard to get a crowd going. (Tickets are $12 at the door).

IF YOU GO

What: "Appreciate Art, Appreciate Rotary"

When: 5:30 pm. Thursday, Feb. 16, with the auction beginning at 7 p.m.

Where: St. Michael City Center, 11800 Town Center Drive

Who: Hosted by St. Michael-Albertville Rotary, benefitting a variety of Rotary's local and international projects.