29th ANNUAL LEONARDO CHALLENGE LAUNCHES MAY 15 AT 5:30 P.M.

Artist, inventor and scientist and all around Renaissance man, Leonardo da Vinci would probably be amazed his unrivaled vision and imagination are the inspiration for an annual fundraiser by the Eli Whitney Museum and Workshop and have been for 29 years. Annually, except for two during the pandemic, an item of interest is selected for artists to incorporate into an art piece for auction: a painting, piece of jewelry, item of clothing, a lamp, game, sculpture, furniture, mobile, that utilizes the specific item of choice.

This year “The Landscape” will be the object artists will use. In past years, the item has been as diverse as pencils, mirrors, ice cream spoons, playing cards, cameras, all matter of creative subject matter to spark the imagination. All the contributions will be auctioned off to fund scholarships for students from kindergarten to twelfth grade to ignite the imagination as vividly as Leonardo might have done himself.

On Thursday, May 15, from 5:30 p.m. to 9 p.m., attend a fascinating and fantastic event at the Eli Whitney Museum and Workshop, 915 Whitney Avenue, Hamden and become immersed in an evening stuffed with a vibrant art auction, live music and delectable treats and drinks from local vendors, from hot from the oven pizza, tables of entrees, crusty breads, cheeses, wine and yummy desserts.

Leonardo was known for many accomplishments and his landscape look at unique places like the Arno Valley and his Birch Copse are among them. With bidding starting at $70-125, items already received include a series of “peaces of wood,” “She Sells Sea Shells,” “Radiographic Wilderness,” “Scotland,” a set of ten landscape cards, “Evening Vision,” “On the Road,”and dozens of other intriguing landscape visions, sculptures, jewelry, wall pieces, books and bags.

For tickets ($85), go online to onebidpal.net/leonardo2025/ticketing. Other sponsor tiers are available for $250-$5000 benefit levels.

Honor Leonardo’s creative mind and the mission of the Eli Whitney Museum and Workshop by attending the 29th Annual Leonardo Challenge for fun, an artistic auction, delicious food and drink, engaging live music and an evening of sparkle and wit all supporting a wonderful cause for kids.