The art of mystery

There was a great mystery to solve at the Art Incognito event.

November 27, 2010 at 9:28PM
Richard Leibell and Kerry Ciardelli.
Richard Leibell and Kerry Ciardelli. (Star Tribune/The Minnesota Star Tribune)

There was a great mystery to solve at the Art Incognito event.

At the benefit for Free Arts Minnesota, clues were hidden in the photographs and paintings that covered the walls in the Edward Lentsch Studio in Minneapolis. The fundraiser allowed guests to bid on these works of art without knowing the artist or value. There were some real treasures in the mix, including pieces by artist Alec Soth, who has an exhibit at the Walker; Mark Ulriksen, whose art graces the cover of the New Yorker, and Terrence Payne, who is part of the group show "Flourish" at the Minneapolis Institute of Arts.

There was no puzzle, however, about the services that Free Arts Minnesota offers: Each week, volunteers do art projects with abused, at-risk and neglected children.

"It's healing young minds through artistic expression," said Kim Witczak, president of the organization. "For the kids, it's not about the end product, it's about the process. There's a therapeutic benefit to it."

Works by kids in Free Arts Minnesota also were on display at Art Incognito. And being in a gallery is a triumph for an artist of any age.

Quinn Hendel and Alexander Oser.
Quinn Hendel and Alexander Oser. (Star Tribune/The Minnesota Star Tribune)
Drew Beson and Christian Clapp
Drew Beson and Christian Clapp (Star Tribune/The Minnesota Star Tribune)
Kris, Jack and Bob Barrie.
Kris, Jack and Bob Barrie. (Star Tribune/The Minnesota Star Tribune)
Dan Thomas and Edward Lentsch.
Dan Thomas and Edward Lentsch. (Star Tribune/The Minnesota Star Tribune)
Anne Rosenberg, Michelle Bradley, Tracy Dyer and Jennifer Eggers.
Anne Rosenberg, Michelle Bradley, Tracy Dyer and Jennifer Eggers. (Star Tribune/The Minnesota Star Tribune)
Dan Buettner and Aerste Howells.
Dan Buettner and Aerste Howells. (Star Tribune/The Minnesota Star Tribune)
Lea B. Olsen and Deb Kemp.
Lea B. Olsen and Deb Kemp. (Star Tribune/The Minnesota Star Tribune)
Kim Witczak, board president; Roger Cummings and Rhonda Hansford.
Kim Witczak, board president; Roger Cummings and Rhonda Hansford. (Star Tribune/The Minnesota Star Tribune)
Amber Greenwalt and Sarah Curfman.
Amber Greenwalt and Sarah Curfman. (Star Tribune/The Minnesota Star Tribune)
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Story and photos by SARA GLASSMAN, Star Tribune