Art Alliance Aims to Exceed 350 Attendees at Second Annual ARToberfest Oct. 18

The Art Alliance of the Riverside Art Museum will host its second annual ARToberfest fundraiser Friday, Oct. 18, from 6:30 to 10 p.m. at the Riverside Art Museum.

The 21-and-over event sold out last year with 350 attendees and returns with an expanded lineup of seven breweries and two beer clubs. This year, organizers have increased capacity by utilizing the entire museum space, from the rooftop to the first-floor galleries.

"Our goal is to exceed the 350 guests," said Patti Funder, Art Alliance member and event organizer. The expanded venue allows for greater attendance after having to turn people away last year due to safety restrictions.

Ticket prices include one drink, food from Two Trees Kitchen, live entertainment, art-making activities, a souvenir glass and henna art. For community members who don't drink alcohol, reduced-price tickets are available, with free sodas and waters throughout the event. Nonalcoholic beer will also be available at wine stations.

"This is an ARToberfest. Art is as central to the event as are the craft beers from local brewers," Funder emphasized. "We have a sale of donated art pieces priced between $10-$50, in the hopes that young people can start surrounding themselves with art."

The event aims to raise $30,000 in sponsorships, up from last year's $23,000 goal. The 2023 inaugural event exceeded expectations, raising more than $35,000. All Art Alliance donations to the museum are unrestricted, supporting exhibitions, art education programs, community events and neighborhood beautification projects.

A highlight of the fundraiser is an online silent auction showcasing donated works by established Southern California artists. Bidding opened Oct. 9 and runs through 9:30 p.m. on event night. All proceeds from the auction will go directly to the museum.

"For the last several years, artist and art curator Denise Kraemer, an Art Alliance member, has overseen the program portion of our General Meeting," Funder explained. "Denise's programs always highlighted Southern CA artists. Denise asked the artists who presented programs for a donation."

Featured artists include Helen Bell, Jesus Cruz, Chick Curtis, Ed Gomez, Karen Kauffman, Sant Khalsa, C Matthew Luther, Lisabeth Mertins, Sue Mitchell, Donna Morin, John O'Brien, Mark Schooley, Debra Varni, Katrin Wiese and Denise Kraemer.

The fundraiser will also feature pub trivia, small plates and performances by two bands. Professional henna artists will provide complimentary designs, and an art-making area aims to "bring out the inner artist in all of us," according to Funder.

The Art Alliance considered multiple venues including The Cheech before selecting the Riverside Art Museum. "When we listed all the pluses and minuses of each location RAM was the obvious choice," Funder told the Gazette.

For families and younger patrons, Funder pointed to the Art Alliance's spring fundraiser. "For over 10 years the Riverside Art Market is the Art Alliance's spring fundraiser, recently held at White Park. The Art Market is free, open to the public and family centered with a children's area where our young guests get to express their creative sides."

More information: ARToberfest takes place Oct. 18, 6:30-10 p.m. at Riverside Art Museum, 3425 Mission Inn Avenue. Tickets available at the museum, The Cheech, or online at ARToberfest2025. Silent auction preview and bidding at ArtAuctionARToberfest. Details at RiversideArtAlliance.org.