Tickets go on sale Friday for the Nicolaysen Art Museum's 22nd annual gala dinner and auction event.

"An Evening in Versailles" on Aug. 25 will offer guests a chance to enjoy French cuisine and wines as well as bid on the 85 works featured in the Rocky Mountain Invitational Exhibition and 16 live auction packages.

Each ticket holder will also be entered into a drawing for the NIC's First Annual Art Tour, a trip for two to France in March 2008.

Tickets for the black tie event, which begins at 6 p.m., are $150 for museum members and $175 for non-members. Seating is limited to 350 guests.

A more affordable chance to see the art in the invitational exhibition is the opening reception at 6 p.m. Friday.

The exhibition features 85 works by 55 artists from across the United States, "with a concentration from the Rocky Mountain region," according to curator Lisa Hatchadoorian. Among the pieces are sculptures, paintings, photos, basketry and more. All the works will be available to the highest bidder during the auction at the Aug. 25 event, the NIC's biggest fundraiser of the year.

A catalogue of all the works in the exhibit will be available at the opening reception, which will also feature French-style hors d'oeuvres by Grant Street Grocery and a cash bar.

The reception is free for museum members and $5 for non-members. Kids Corral will be provided to members at no charge or $5.00 per child to non-members.

For more information on either event, call the Nic at 235-5247 or visit www.thenic.org.