Keith Stillwagon Art Auction Benefit Party, art auction and dance will be held at the Gulfport Casino Ballroom on Friday, September 27, from 6 to 10 p.m., featuring the works of mural artist and Army veteran Keith Stillwagon. Live and silent auctions will offer the public an opportunity to own a Stillwagon original, with 100% of the proceeds benefiting the artist .
The event will offer complimentary admission, a cash bar and live music by The Gulfport Swamp Opera and TC Carr & the Bolts of Blue.
About the Artist: Stillwagon’s artistic ability began to show in 1949, at the age of five. At that time, he was ridiculed for his compulsion to draw and was discouraged to develop his creative skills both at home and at school.
During the Vietnam era, at the age of seventeen, Stillwagon enlisted in the Army as an infantry soldier. After his honorable discharge, he purchased his first set of paints and set out to teach himself the fundamentals of drawing and painting through instructional manuals. Over the years, Stillwagon worked odd jobs to support his pursuit of self-expression through visual media. Artwork sample by Keith (right).
His iconic Florida-themed murals and original paintings appear in galleries, in books, poster prints, record covers, theatre backdrops, private collections and on public and privately-owned buildings worldwide. Image provided by Eagle Finnegan of works from Keith.
The benefit is sponsored in part by Enroy Foundation, Inc., a Gulfport non-profit for the Arts and the City of Gulfport, FL for generously donating the use of the Gulfport Casino Ballroom. The Gulfport Casino Ballroom is located at 5500 Shore Blvd. S., Gulfport, FL 33707.