The biggest art event of the year — Vashon Allied Arts’ 2008 Art Auction — is slated for Friday and Saturday, Sept. 19 and 20, at Blue Heron Art Center.

This year’s theme, “The Mad Hatter’s Ball,” will take auction-goers on a whimsical trip down a rabbit hole, filled with food, libations, live entertainment by Lelavision and works by more than 100 artists.

New artwork by six specially commissioned artists will headline the event. Artists selected for Friday’s auction are Jenn Reidel, photography; Karen Dale, oil painting; and Jerry Balcom, pastel. Saturday’s auction will feature Ivonne Escobar de Kommer, sculpture; Jiji Saunders, encaustic; and John Anderson, photography.

Both evenings will be emceed by KIRO morning radio host, Gregg Hersholt, with consummate auctioneer Matt Smith at the helm of the all-important live auctions.

Friday, Sept. 19, will be a more casual affair and will include a buffet dinner catered by The Hardware Store Restaurant. The evening begins at 6:30 p.m. with a silent auction, followed by a special Mad Hatter’s Ball performance and live auction. Tickets are $45 per person or $25 for contributing artists and Saturday Auction guests.

The festivities on Saturday, Sept. 20, will begin at 5:30 p.m. and include both silent and live auctions, a gourmet dinner catered by The Hardware Store Restaurant and a special Mad Hatter’s Ball performance. Tickets are $120 per person or $1,200 for a table of ten.

Call 463-5131 for reservations.

Also planned is a preveiw party and reception scheduled for 6 to 9 p.m., Friday, Sept. 5, with “A Taste of Vashon” — delicious hors d’oeuvres donated by Island restaurants, caterers and VAA chefs.

An online preview of the auction can be found at www.themadhattersball.org.

The auction is sponsored by John L. Scott, Puget Sound Energy, Thriftway, U.S. Bank, David Erue and Bobbi Arnold.