OVERLAND PARK, Kan. – Beyond Bounds • GOLD RUSH, a fund-raiser for Johnson County Community College Gallery of Art, will feature auctions of 24kt gold leaf works of art created by 130 prominent artists at 7 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 22, in the gallery and adjacent Carlsen Center lobby.

Beyond Bounds is a biennial auction, each one offering a unique challenge for the artist and a one-of-kind art purchase for the patron. This is the seventh Beyond Bounds since 1992. In the six previous Beyond Bounds, artists have transformed silk scarves, boxes, frames, shikishi, vinyl LPs and 22-gauge sterling. Raw material is provided to renowned artists who create and donate original works of art to the auction. This year’s material is 24kt gold leaf.

The artwork will be sold at live and silent auctions. Returning as guest auctioneer is Bill Shapiro, Kansas City lawyer, art collector and host of KCUR’s Cyprus Avenue. The evening also features a gourmet buffet and live music.

Proceeds from Beyond Bounds support gallery exhibitions, opening artists’ lectures, general operations and, now, the expansion of gallery programs for the Nerman Museum of Contemporary Art, targeted for completion in 2007. Since 1992, Beyond Bounds have raised more than $334,000.

One hundred and thirty prominent international, national and regional artists will participate in GOLD RUSH including Tomory Dodge, Carlee Fernandez, Nate Fors, Lynn Smiser Bowers, Kori Newkirk, James Brinsfield, Jason Pollen, James Rosenquist, Warren Rosser, Eric Sall, John Torreano, Kehinde Wiley and Kiki Smith.

"Because of the excitement generated by the new Nerman Museum of Contemporary Art and the impressive Oppenheimer Collection, there has been an overwhelming response by artists to this year’s Beyond Bounds," said Bruce Hartman, director, JCCC Gallery of Art. "The success of Beyond Bounds can be directly attributed to the generosity and creativity of these artists."

Besides fund-raising, one of the main goals for Beyond Bounds is to encourage new collectors of contemporary art.

"This is a great opportunity for collectors to view an incredible range of art and possibly acquire, very affordably, a work for themselves," Hartman said. "The objects we already received are incredibly beautiful. Imagine the gallery awash in 24kt gold works."

Sponsors for GOLD RUSH are the Richard J. Stern Foundation for the Arts, Commerce Bank Trustee, and the JCCC Gallery Associates. Tickets are $25, available from the JCCC Foundation, 913-469-3835, and at the door the night of the event. Patrons (purchasers of four or more tickets) will be allowed – for the first time ever – a sneak peek of all works.

This is the last Beyond Bounds to be held in the JCCC Gallery of Art in the Carlsen Center. Future Beyond Bounds will be held in the new Nerman Museum of Contemporary Art.