THORPSGIVING!
A month of giving to support PUNCH Projects
This November, we are pulling out all the stops. ‘Tis the season of charitable giving and we’ve decided to join the benevolent bandwagon to support our cause. What’s our cause, you ask? Namely, cultivating arts and culture in rural central Washington, in unincorporated Thorp, in the old firehouse. So, we are giving you, nay, we are Thorpsgiving you a few very simple and painless ways to consider opening your pocketbooks to give, ahem, Thorpsgive a little to help support our continued programming.
Have you experienced our gallery space and checked out one or more of our exhibitions that rotate monthly? Perhaps you’ve seen some live music, a poetry reading, an artist talk or experienced a Droodle? Maybe you’ve even had the opportunity to show work or share your craft in our space? As you probably know, PUNCH is grassroots and volunteer based. The five members who actively keep things moving do this as a passion project because we believe that art should be free, inclusive and open to all, and that art isn’t just a city thing. Art is alive and well in the sticks and we hope that in our small and scrappy way, we are proving this. As we’ve witnessed, compelling and engaging art, poetry, music and the conversations that ensue can and do happen in places like ours. This is what we celebrate.
So, we ask, are you with us?
If so, we double-dog dare you to stop by this month and help us raise funds to help cover rent, utilities and programming in 2025! We’ve got three ways you can support us – become a member, bid on some sweet artwork and other cool stuff in the month-long silent auction, or simply drop some cold, hard cash in the money jar.
Silent Auction
12-4pm Saturdays
12-8pm Last Saturday!
In-person bidding ends 8pm, Nov. 30, 2024
Love the excitement of a bidding war? You can support the cause by bidding on a silent auction item which will be open for in-person bidding through the duration of the month, closing promptly at 8pm on November 30. Highest bidders need not be present to win and all items will have a “buy-it-now” option, so you can take it with you that day! Auction items will range from “pocket-sized” to “big ticket” items. So, this is truly an auction for everyone. We’re really good at stretching pennies and any donation helps us pay for the essentials (and keep the beer cold).
Membership Drive
Ends at 8pm, November 30, 2024
Memberships come with perks ranging from exhibition opportunities and discounts on art and snacks, to limited edition prints and invitations to our super-secret summer speakeasy event. The top-tier membership gets you 20% off everything we sell until October 31, 2025 and a set of signed prints from PUNCH artists. Besides, who doesn’t want to be a member of the “PUNCH Club?”
Make a Donation
If silent auctions stress you out, or being a “member” is not your jam, then consider supporting the vitality of rural arts and culture by making a donation to support artists, musicians and all the programming at PUNCH. We’re really good at stretching pennies and any donation helps us pay for the essentials (and keep the beer cold).
About Punch
Since 2006, PUNCH has worked to promote visual dialogue between urban and rural art communities and supports the cultural vibrancy of rural art scenes by spurring creative awareness, cross-cultural engagement and economic vitality. Our ‘Fire House’ project in the small rural-community of Thorp, WA houses a gallery, indoor and outdoor performance areas, and a snack bar. Exhibitions change monthly and we have musicians and other performers featured weekly. We are currently open Saturdays with volunteer staff.
We thank you for supporting artist-run-spaces and arts and culture in rural communities. It really means the world, and we cherish the moments we get to hang out with artists, musicians, poets, and friends both old and new in this unique and creative space. Thank you for being part of the PUNCH Club!
November Events
11/02: The Jesus Chords
[garage country]
2-4pm
11/09: The Sleepers
[funky alternative]
2-4pm
11/16: Bitterbrush
[americlassicana]
2-4pm
11/23: Ellensburg Blusers
[classic rock, pop + country]
2-4pm
11/30 (Last Saturday):
Punk ‘n’ Pie!
[an afternoon of punk rawk and pie]
12-8pm
