A week of ARTi Gras festivities in Monroe

UPDATE: The Monroe Arts Council has postponed the masquerade ball. The event takes place from 5 to 10 p.m. on Saturday, March 19 at the Evergreen State Fairgrounds.-á

This week Monroe celebrates ARTi Gras, a pairing of events that includes an art show and a New Orleans-themed masquerade ball complete with costumes, live music, Cajun food and authentic Mardi Gras-style cocktails.-á

The festivities kick off Thursday, Feb. 4, with a juried art show 6-8 p.m. at the Saaski Gallery, west of the hospital in Monroe's industrial area. The masquerade ball takes place 5-10 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 6, at the Evergreen State Fairgrounds in Monroe. Admission to the ball is $50, and includes a Cajun-style dinner, a drink known as a Hurricane, live Zydeco music by Seattle band Fil+¬ Gumbo, live and silent auctions and a photographer.

This year's ARTi Gras festival celebrates art in all its forms and highlights local artists, while raising money for the Monroe Arts Council's renovations of the Wagner Performing Arts Center. All proceeds from the event will go toward the renovation project currently underway.

The Monroe Arts Council (MAC) is a 100-percent volunteer, nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting art in the community. Since 2012 the council has been actively working to restore the Wagner Performing Arts Center, and has targeted improvements including ADA-compliant bathrooms, a concession area and ticket booth.-á

Thursday's art show is free to attend and includes wine and appetizers, along with the opportunity to peruse the Saaski Gallery's extensive collection of art crafted by local artists. Both traditional and nontraditional items will be featured, including paintings, sculpture, bronze and glass. First, second and third place awards will be given to participating artists, along with an honorable mention.

Guests will be allowed to vote for their favorite piece of art, which will be honored with a "people's choiceGÇ¥ award.-á

The Saaski Gallery is owned by Leonie and Elric Saaski, avid art collectors who have been in Monroe since 2003.

"This is more of our hobby actually. We have a technology company here, and so Leonie is the financial officer and I'm the CEO,GÇ¥ Elric said. "We make equipment for counterterrorism.GÇ¥

In addition to working together, traveling and collecting art, Leonie and Elric Saaski volunteer with the Monroe Arts Council. In 2007 they helped co-found ARTi Gras, agreeing to open the doors of their gallery for all of Monroe to enjoy. The juried art show portion of the event has been held regularly ever since.

This year the Saaskis helped acquire many items for the masquerade ball auctions, which will feature an eclectic batch of artifacts both artistic and novelty.

"A lot of them are heirlooms that we picked up at auctions in the Seattle area,GÇ¥ Elric said.

Among the auction items are an autographed bottle of Tim Smith Moonshine, a rare bottle of single-malt scotch, cut glass, jewelry, china and art.-á

The Saaski Gallery is located at 17161 Beaton Road S.E. in Monroe. The masquerade ball will take place in the 4-H building at the fairgrounds, also known as Building 501. For more information about ARTi Gras or to purchase tickets in advance, visit www.facebook.com/events/184136308613208/ or http://artigrasmonroe.com/.