Wings & Wildlife Opening Soirée & Benefit Auction

Don't miss out! The deadline to purchase tickets for the Wings and Wildlife Opening Soirée and Benefit Auction has been extended for a short time only! RSVP now by purchasing your tickets today. 

Join executive director, Cheryl Tracy, featured artist Maria DeSimone Prascak, and live auction emcee Sally Wiggin for an exciting evening at the National Aviary for the Opening Soirée & Benefit Auction!

We are thrilled to host 40 regional and national wildlife artists! Our juried art exhibition and marketplace opens with a first-class fundraiser soiree. Enjoy heavy hors d’oeuvres from Atria’s, the exclusive caterer of the National Aviary, open bar, signature drinks, musical entertainment, birds to meet up close, and silent auction items to complement the exquisite artwork that will fill the building. Be among the first to meet the artists for an opportunity to purchase magnificent works of art prior to the two-day public marketplace.

Throughout the evening, unique Aviary experiences, works of art, and other one-of-a-kind items will be up for bidding during silent and live auctions.

All proceeds benefit the National Aviary’s avian medicine, education, and conservation programs locally and internationally.

All guests must be 21 and over, and able to present a valid ID. NO Exceptions. Tickets are non-refundable.

Cocktail Attire

Valet Parking Included

For questions, please contact Ted Bartlett at ted.bartlett@aviary.org or 412-258-9433.

About the featured artist:

Pittsburgh artist Maria DeSimone Prascak has been passionate about her art her entire life and is celebrating 35 years in business at Maria's Ideas, perched in the South Side Slopes. Working in acrylics and other media including watercolor, pen and ink, and mixed media, she is inspired by her love of nature, as well as all things magical and fantastical! Maria has been featured in designer show houses, local television shows, newspapers, and national magazines.

Live Auction Items:

A one-of-a-kind owl painting from Wings & Wildlife featured artist, Maria DeSimone Prascak

The amazingly talented Maria DeSimone Prascak of Maria’s Ideas made this piece specially for Wings & Wildlife. This large acrylic painting entitled "Moody Owls" features several of the National Aviary's owls. It is sure to bring style and flair to any home!

A week-long stay at Black Skimmer, a paradise home on Virginia’s Eastern Shore

This oasis on Metompkin Bay is located just 20 minutes south of Chincoteague Island. Fall in love with the beautiful views of largest undeveloped coastal wilderness on the east coast, enjoy the marsh, birdwatch, take a midnight stroll under the vast starry sky, and relax!

Dinner prepared by renowned Executive Chef Josef Karst in your home for eight people

Enjoy a delectable seven-course gourmet meal and wine pairings from Atria’s, served in the comfort of your own home.

Atria's Party for Twenty

Good friends and good fun are always best served with great food! Leave that to the experts at Atria's Catering with this two-hour moveable feast complete with delicious fare and beverages for up to 20 people. Be the center of attention for once. You deserve it. Let the hardest part be deciding who to invite! 

A Niagara Falls Valentine's Getaway for Two

Take a romantic Valentine’s Day trip to Niagara Falls. You’ll get to enjoy accommodations overlooking the Falls, a winery tour, tickets to a show, and more.

Thank you to our Event Sponsors (as of September 1, 2017):

Gold Sponsor:

Silver Sponsors:

Boyd Roll-Off Services, Inc.

Meyer, Unkovic & Scott LLP

WTW Architects

Retail Art Material Sponsor:

Blick Art Materials

Featuring Atria's, the exclusive caterer of the National Aviary

 Media Sponsors:

iHeartMedia

Lamar Advertising

Pittsburgh Magazine

WHIRL Magazine

Participating Artists:

Chandler Beatty       West Middlesex, PA       Painting

Jocelyn Beatty       West Middlesex, PA       Painting

Victoria Bennet Beyer       Pittsburgh, PA       Photography

Melissa Benzinger McGlynn       Stroudsburg, PA       Mixed media; sculpture; textiles

Jessica Botzan       Vandergrift, PA       Photography; sculpture; textiles

Benjamin Bratetich       Bridgeville, PA       Metal; painting; photography; sculpture; watercolor; wood

Daniel Brown       Pittsburgh, PA       Painting; soft pastels; wood

Henry Burdett       Alexandria, VA       Photography

Ashley Cecil       Pittsburgh, PA       Textiles - wearable; painting; stationary and coloring products

Sarah Cohen       Pittsburgh, PA       Glass; jewelry; paperweights

Sheree Daugherty       Pittsburgh, PA       Painting

Maria DeSimone Prasack       Pittsburgh, PA       Painting; mixed media; watercolor; acrylics

Joan DeSimone & Eli Thomas       Avoca,NY       Metal; jewerly; painting

JP Diroll       Allison Park, PA       Photography

Paul Fletcher       Westlake, OH       Painting; sculpture

Megan Gillis       Pittsburgh, PA       Jewelry

Barbara Ivanko       Pittsburgh, PA       Glass - mosaic

Kip Kingchington        Presto, PA       Jewelry; metal

Debbie Maier Jacknin       Pittsburgh, PA       Glass; jewelry; stained glass; mosaics; prints

Bryan Hosko & John Barbiaux       Bethal Park, PA & Mars, PA       Photography

Maria Mangano       Pittsburgh, PA       Mixed media; paper art; printmaking/graphics; watercolor

April Minech       Pittsburgh, PA       Illustrations

David Montgomery       Pittsburgh, PA       Mixed media

Chris & Joe Pagano       Wiconisco, PA       Wood; paint

Laura Palermo       Charleston, SC       Painting; giclee on canvas; prints on metal; art pillows

Ellen Paquette       Warren, PA       Painting

Lynn Patton       Bentleyville, PA       Textiles - art and wearable

Jenny Pope       Ithaca, NY       Ceramics; wood; painting

Johno Prascak       Pittsburgh, PA       Enamel and sand on canvas

Larry Schneider       Carnegie, PA       Mixed media; painting

Molly Sims       Marriotsville, MD       Painting

Terry Smith       Johnstown , PA       Painting

Cindy Strosser       Ford City, PA       Painting

Sherri Thomson       Pittsburgh, PA       Painting; watercolor

James Urbanic       Ellwood City, PA       Wood

Ann Watson       Pittsburgh, PA       Ceramics

Diane Wright       Pittsburgh, PA       Jewelry

Lindsay Wright       Pittsburgh, PA       Mixed media; illustration drawing