art union

noun

Australian.

1. a lottery, originally a nongovernment lottery with works of art as prizes.

art union

noun

1. a lottery, often with prizes other than cash

Word History and Origins

Origin of art union¹

First recorded in 1830–40

Example Sentences

Ms. Frostig, who describes herself as a “public memory artist,” holds degrees from the Massachusetts College of Art, Union Institute and University in Cincinnati and Lesley University.

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At 19, Duncanson moved to Cincinnati, a growing arts and abolitionism hub, where he would see works by Hudson River School painters such as Thomas Cole’s “The Voyage of Life” series, which came to the city for a sale through the Western Art Union.

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He won it in a raffle organized by the American Art Union in New York City, which bought the painting from Bingham and helped to popularize it.

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You'll have more fun if you try the less-common offerings from the Brewer's Art, Union, Milkhouse and Franklin's.

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But you may find an excellent steel engraving of it, by Copley Fielding, full of accomplishment, elegance and taste, and published by the London Art Union.

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