It’s one of the biggest nights for art in Scranton.

AFA Gallery will hold its annual Holiday Art Auction on Saturday, Nov. 23. The event will take place at 6 p.m. at the gallery, 514 Lackawanna Ave., Scranton.

Guests can sip cocktails and listen to live music as they preview pieces that will be up for bid later in the evening in the auction. Tickets cost $25 and include entry, hors d’oeuvres, desserts and beverages.

The auction is the gallery’s primary fundraiser that supports programs such as rotating exhibits, workshops, lectures, life drawing sessions, performance art, yoga and more.

“It’s a fantastic night and the most important event we do all year,” AFA president Conor Kelly O’Brien said.“It literally keeps the doors open.”

The auction begins at 7 and auctioneer Ken Rivenburg will present all items. Guests will have a chance to take home pieces of original artwork by regional artists including MaryLou Chibirka, Mark Ciocca, Ryan Hnat, Earl Lehman and Linda Welles.

The featured auction item, “Dragonfly” by Judith Youshock, will be raffled off at the event. As a founding member of AFA and First Friday Art Walk, a piece by Youshock is meaningful for the gallery’s auction, O’Brien said.

“She is an advocate for the arts and (has been) a catalyst for the arts in the region for decades,” he said.

The piece itself is a monochromatic color scheme and created with batik, a process in which selected areas of the cloth are blocked out by brushing or drawing hot wax over them before the cloth is dyed. The parts covered in wax resist the dye and remain the original color. The process is repeated to create more elaborate designs and, after the final dyeing, the wax is removed.

Raffle tickets cost $3 for one ticket and $5 for three tickets, and can be purchased at the gallery.

Even if someone isn’t an art collector, there’s still something for everyone, O’Brien said. Several experiences also will be auctioned off, including season passes to Montage Mountain Resorts, Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins passes, and an exclusive 10-minute play to be written and performed by New Vintage Ensemble at the venue of one’s choice.

As one of the longest-running membership-based art galleries in Pennsylvania, O’Brien said events such as the auction help to continue AFA’s mission to stimulate arts appreciation and support regional artists and gallery members. He hopes those who attend the event not only enjoy a great evening full of music, art and food but also understand the cultural efforts they’re supporting and the gallery’s appreciation.

“We’re continuously grateful for the support,” O’Brien said.

If you go
What: Annual Holiday Art Auction
When:Saturday, Nov. 23, 6 p.m.
Where: AFA Gallery, 514 Lackwanna Ave., Scranton
Details: Tickets cost $25 and can be bought online at eventbrite.com or at the door. Call 570-969-1040 or email artistsforartgallery@gmail.com to RSVP.