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The Grand Uffda - Gather Together 2020

Saturday, January 25, 2020
6:00 PM 10:00 PM

Holden Roon 145 Holden Street North Minneapolis, MN, 55405 United States (map)

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The Grand Uffda 2020

Saturday January 25, 2020 from 6:00pm-10:00pm

The Holden Room, 145 Holden Street North, Minneapolis, MN

Foci Minnesota Center for Glass Arts presents, The Grand Uffda! This is Foci MCGA’s premier annual fundraising event. Join us for an elegant evening of entertainment featuring glassblowing demonstrations by renowned artist Rob Stern and local business Hennepin Made, live music by the Black Widows, food by Taco Cat, and a variety of beverages available for purchase. Throughout the evening guests will be able to participate in a silent auction of glass art pieces.

All proceeds from the event will go towards Foci MCGA’s capital campaign, A Fresh Gather, to relocate our studio. As Minnesota’s only nonprofit, public-access glass studio and education center, expansion is vital to our organization’s sustainability. We are excited to announce, after 3 years of planning, Foci MCGA will have a new studio space starting spring of 2020. Located in the Seward neighborhood, we will be the anchor of an ambitious redevelopment project, the Focus Arts building. We believe that Minnesota glass art deserves to be highlighted and accessible for all. Together we have an incredible opportunity, to build a strong foundation for the advancement of glass art and education in Minnesota, to shine for generations to come.

Foci MCGA is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, and all funds raised by this event will be used to support A Fresh Gather, our capital campaign. Tickets are non-refundable. You may transfer your reservation to another guest or convert it to a fully tax deductible donation by contacting us at contact@mnglassart.org. Foci MCGA reserves the right to cancel or postpone the event due to weather, an emergency, or other unforeseen circumstance. Ticket refunds may be issued up to a week prior to the event date.

For the first time ever, The Grand Uffda will take place outside of our studio on Hennepin Avenue. We at Foci MCGA are very thankful for our partners, especially Hennepin Made, who will help us bring this special event to life! The Holden Room is a unique space that will allow us to showcase glassblowing and provide a space for attendees to mix, mingle, party, and celebrate the American Studio Glass Movement and fine arts in the Twin Cities.

The day of, Foci MCGA will have your name and information at the door. Proof of purchase, such as an email receipt will expedite the check-in process.

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Glass gifts for Contributors, Co-Hosts, Hosts, and Sponsors will be at the event to be taken at your convenience. If you purchase your ticket after 1/23/20, your glass piece will be prepared after The Grand Uffda has concluded, and will be available for pickup in our studio.

Silent Auction Instructions

Starts: Friday January 24th 12:00pm
Ends: Saturday January 25th 9:30pm

There are two different methods for bidding before and during the Grand Uffda:

1) Online

Register with Accelevents here: www.accelevents.com/u/signup
Search www.accelevents.com/e/uffda on an internet browser
View the glass pieces available and hit the blue 'Bid Now' button
Scroll down and enter your phone number, bid amount, name, and card number then Submit

2) Text

All glass pieces displayed will have a three letter code displayed
Text (646) 762-1173 in the following format: CODE$bid (piece code, dollar sign, biding amount) Example: JAN$150 or RCK$675

After 10:00pm the nights of The Grand Uffda, you are welcome to take your new glass art home with you. Foci MCGA will provide packaging materials and assist loading if necessary. If you would like to arrange to pickup your art later from our studio, email contact@mnglassart.org to request.

Written and performed by Black Widows

Rob Stern - Featured Glassblowing Artist

“My sculptures are inspired by the natural world, human nature and visual phenomena. This inspiration in conjunction with my relationship with the glass, provides a vast and endless source of innovation and creativity. The challenge never ceases and my imagination drives me to continuously explore and invent new forms that push the limitations of the glass. Learning from the greatest glass sculptors from around the world has both given me the tools, but also the vision and inquisitiveness to seek out originality and a unique way of bringing my sculptures to life.”