Everyone in Dallas is an artist one day of the year during Art Conspiracy, the annual alternative art auction fundraiser / music event / dang good party. Art Con is now in its sixth year, so you know the drill. Each fall Art Con happens in an alternative space somewhere around our fair city (this year’s event will be on Oct. 23, location TBD). But each summer, the Art Con-ers host SEED, a fundraiser for the fundraiser. That event is this Friday, July 16, at Sons of Herman Hall. Tickets are $7 and you will get to hear music by The Cocky Americans, Jacob Metcalf, and Johnny Beauford.

Part of Art Con’s charm is the great variety of work by professional, hobby, wannabe, and even don’t wannabe artists. But SEED has its own appeal. Last year a collection of local artists and artisans created light fixtures from discarded Illy coffee cans to auction off at the event. This year, SEED will feature hand crafted clocks by 30 local artists. Opening bids start at just $20. A list of the artists as well as some preview photos are after the jump. See you there.

The SEED Artists and About Art Conspiracy via Art Conspiracy:

Art Conspiracy owes a big debt of gratitude to the artists below for their creations that will be up for auction on Friday night: Mike Arreaga – Sean Bone – Cabe Booth – Oliver Bradley – Jonathan Brooks – Travis Bush-  Dan Colcer – Robb Conover -  Kirk Garnett – Aaron Glissmann -  Corey Godfrey – John Gonzales – David Harrel – Juli Hulcy – Julie McCullough Kim – David Lyles – Margo Miller – Kevin Obregon – Brittany Paige -  Daniel Perez – R. Steven Rainwater – Zach Saucedo – Julia Schloss – Clint Scism – Paul Semrad -  Harley Joe Shook – Sean Springer – Andrew Tolentino – VET

Art Conspiracy is street level philanthropy. Members of the creative community in North Texas pool their talents and their time to create affordable bi-annual fundraising events that support other nonprofit arts programs. We’ve tried to make our events equal parts fundraiser and creative community event. Every year, we take the money we raise and donate it to a deserving beneficiary that is helping boost the creative scene here in the Dallas area. We are a 501c3 organization with IRS nonprofit status (so your donations and auction purchases are tax deductible!). Since 2005, Art Conspiracy has donated over $70,000 for our beneficiaries.

This year our chosen beneficiary is Today Marks the Beginning. a group that uses art to bring public awareness of important social issues and to promote peace and social justice. Currently the group offers MasterPEACE, a program that helps young artists explore creative solutions to conflict. Please visit their site to see what the students in their program have accomplished.