Over 450 guests attended the “8x8 Art Exhibition and Auction” at the Museum of Biblical Art in Dallas last Wednesday to bid on miniature works of fine art, and support the museum’s educational programs. 

Scott Peck, Museum Curator and Director, pronounced the evening a great success. "The event was a near  sellout of over 140 works of art,” said Peck. Upon arrival, guests were photographed by the National Center for Jewish Art Gallery and then directed to the Caruth Gallery to receive their bid packets and on to the Ballroom for spirited bidding, with many artists in attendance.

Guests also enjoyed a barbecue buffet by Big Al’s Smokehouse BBQ, in keeping with the Texas-casual theme, music in the Atrium by the Lucky Pierres, a wine pull in the Northeast Gallery, and lovely floral arrangements from Gardenia Event Décor. 

Gathering under a large digital clock that counted down the minutes to the auction close, Scott Peck welcomed everyone and thanked Co-Chairs Maria Valentina Sheets and Rachel Wimpey, and the event committee and sponsors who made the evening possible. “This annual event raises funds for all our educational programs throughout the year – field trips, Summer Art Camp for Kids, Heroes of History Field Trips, and special workshops we offer for both kids and adults,” said Peck. 

The highlight of the evening was a live painting demonstration of large-scale works by Dallas artist Fred Villanueva whose Ash Studios was recently ranked “Best Gallery in Dallas” by D Magazine. Another highlight was the Celebrity Art Gallery, created by iconic comedian Ruth Buzzi and her actor/artist husband Kent Perkins. Paintings and mixed media works were submitted by Emmy-nominated actress and comedian Lily Tomlin, the legendary Carol Burnett, as well as JoAnne Worley and country singing legend Kris Kristofferson.   

Guests included Regina Bruce, Kim Rozell, Jeanette Korab, Doug Box, Shayema Rahim, Paulette Martsolf, Jim Lively, Susan Schmidt, Patti Sparkman, Laura Sparkman, George Tobolowsky,  Leo Crowley, J. D. Miller, Jeffrey Brosk, Johannes Boekhoudt, Michele Struss, Brad Abrams and Donald Zale.    

Eight by eight was created seven years ago by Jeff Levine who based it on the number 8 which is a symbol for the Hebrew word for life, which is Chai. “So,” says Levine, “8 x 8 is a double portion of life or a doubly-blessed life.”                                                                

ABOUT THE MUSEUM OF BIBLICAL ART

The Museum of Biblical Art in Dallas, Texas is unlike any museum in the world.  It has a simple mission:  to display art with a Biblical theme.  It is one of the few museums in the country that is devoted to Biblical themes.  It was established in 1966 and named the Museum of Biblical Art in 1999.  Nothing of its size exists in the United States, making it a treasure trove for art enthusiasts. Diverse types of art are exhibited including bronze sculpture installations, drawings, fine prints, and oil paintings. Specialized galleries have been created for Biblical Archaeology, Jewish Art, Religious Architecture, Israeli Art, Women’s Art, African American Art and Hispanic Art.

The Museum is a cultural crossroads, utilizing art for tolerance and understanding reflected in the various archaeological exhibits and decorative art from Israel and the Holy Land. The new National Center for Jewish Art is dedicated to Jewish and Israeli artists, artifacts and ceremonial art with works by George Tobolowsky, Jacques Lipchitz, Menashe Kadishman, Tobi Kahn, Yigal Ozeri, and Goeffrey Laurence.

The MBA's vision encompasses the classical arts with a call to beauty which emphasizes Biblical figurative art illustrating the narratives of the Bible, and a call to the study of classical Greco-Roman art, archaeology and architecture.

Museum featured artists Include:  John Singer Sargent, Marc Chagall, Ben Shahn, Michelangelo, Paolo Veronese, Francesco Guardi, Agam, Kathe Köllwitz, Albert Pinkham Ryder, Emil Nolde, James Tissot, Oskar Kokoschka, Bernard Buffet, Andy Warhol, Everett Shinn, John Marin, and many more. 

The MBA - Museum of Biblical Art 

7500 Park Lane  

Dallas, TX 75225

214-368-4622

Across from the North Park

Hours: Tuesday – Saturday 10:00 to 5:00  

Late night Thursday until 9:00 PM  

Sunday 1:00 to 5:00 p.m.  

www.biblicalarts.org