Local, regional and national talents will auction off their art to the highest bidder, and it’s all to help fund more artistic endeavors in Gainesville.

The 38th annual Gala Art Auction sets the stage for the programming throughout the year with the quality of work the Quinlan Visual Arts Center presents, said Amanda McClure, executive director of the Quinlan Visual Arts Center.

“It’s also our only fundraiser,” she said, adding that the money funds classes, exhibitions and community outreach.

The black-tie-optional event will be at 6:30 p.m. Saturday, March 5, at 514 Green St. NE in Gainesville.

Tickets cost $125 per person and covers entry to the Gala as well as the Collector’s Preview Night. The preview party will be at 5:30 p.m. Thursday, March 3, and is free to the public.

Quinlan has limited ticket sales for the popular event since it has space restrictions.

“In the last couple of years we’ve sold out,” McClure said. “And due to the size of our building and the event, we cap it to 200 guests (or) 100 couples.”

One hundred is also a magic number for the Gala — 100 pieces of art will be on display.

“The event is our first major exhibition every year,” McClure said. “We rotate our exhibitions every seven to nine weeks and have something different every year.”

About 83 artists contributed the 100 pieces, which will be auctioned.

“We have a wide variety of art — everything from traditional, still life and landscape to abstract, mixed media and other kinds,” McClure said.

Although many artists will be featured, the artist guest of honor is Roseta Santiago. The Santa Fe, N.M., woman is known for her realistic and dramatic still life compositions of artifacts collected from around the world, and intense portraits of peoples of the Southwest where she works and lives in what she calls “living history.”

“Roseta was selected because she embodies what the Quinlan is all about,” McClure said. “She is both an art teacher and an exhibitor. Those are the two things we do here. We have instructional workshops and classes and we also have exhibitions.”

McClure added Santiago is a gifted master artist and has taught artists who are talented in their own right. Recently, she launched ARTtalk.US, a free site to assist all artists in marketing their work.

“She’s one of the most successful exhibitors that we’ve ever had,” she said.

Going on its 38th year, the Gala will be sure to not disappoint.

“We’re honored to present this event every year, because it’s popular with the community,” McClure said. “I believe that there are people outside our community (who) are starting to come in and say ‘Hey there’s this really neat art event in Gainesville.’ Sometimes the outside world when they come in are really surprised to see an art center of this caliber serving this area. It’s nice that we have these wow moments with visitors and new guests.”