LREI Art Auction

Last night was the annual LREI Art Auction.  I believe this is the 26th year of this event.  Not only does the event raise money for the school, it is a fantastic event.  I’d say about half the people bidding on items come from outside the community and are involved in the art community.  Reason being we get some serious art work. 

The school has a history with artists, gallery owners, and people in the art in general.  We were bidding last night.  All the bids are silent.  There are folders on long tables in each gallery.  You are issued a number.  You enter your number and the price that you are willing to pay in the folder which represents the artists work.  At the end of the evening, a specific time, the folders are collected and the last bidder gets the piece.  People do a serious job of hovering over the table to get their last bids in before the folders are snatched up.  I admit, I was one of them.

We got 5 pieces last night and I’m thrilled. 

The 5 artists are Kimberly Dawn who is an emerging artist in NYC. 

Kim_dawn_1

Elizabeth Murray who has been working as an artist for quite some time.  The piece we bought was from 1984. 

Elizabeth_murray_2 

We bought a small pen and ink from Coleen Fitzgibbon who is a parent at our school and married to Tom Otterness. 

We also got a photograph from a young artist named Addie Juell.  This image below is not that great but the peice is fun and wonderful in person.

Addie_juell_2

Lastly, we got a whimsical piece made of pipe cleaners from Jim Sperber.

Car_2

This is one of my favorite auctions of the year.  You can really get some good pieces and the prices vary from $50 – $10,000.  There is something for everybody which makes it a true community event.

Comments (Archived):

  1. Kimberly Dawn

    What a pleasant surprise to see my painting on your site. I’m glad you won it.

    I have many events this season.

    I hope you can make it to one or more of them.

    cheers, Kimberly Dawn

    WINTER/SPRING 2005 EVENTS

    March 1st – 31st, 2005
    ART GOTHAM 547 West 27th Street 5th Flr, Chelsea, NYC group exhibition – “Hidden Treasures”

    Opening Reception – Thursday, March 3rd, 5:00pm – 9:00pm

    Brunch – Saturday, March 12th, 11:00 am – 1:00 pm
    http://www.artgotham.com
    >>>An eclectic group show of 10 contemporary artists. The opening reception is a convivial event where you can meet the artists and other art lovers.

    Thursday, March 3rd – Sunday, March 6th, 2005
    International ARTEXPO NYC 2005
    Gallery Booth #1311
    Jacob Javits Center 655 West 34th Street NYCwww.artexpos.com
    >>> See K. Dawn’s most recent large abstract oil paintings on exhibition with art from 500+ other artists and art galleries. At this large international art exhibition.

    Winter/Spring 2005 ongoing
    The Dawn Gallery 478 West Broadway @ Houston, Soho, NYC
    solo exhibition – “Soho Show” http://www.thedawngallery.com
    >>> Paintings by Kimberly Dawn are permanently on display at this prestigious gallery in the heart of Soho.

    February 21st – March 14th, 2005
    KANVAS 218 Ninth Avenue @ 23rd Street Chelsea, NYC
    solo exhibition – “Simple Expressions III”
    http://www.kanvasnyc.com
    >>> Showing large abstract oil paintings at Kanvas, a hip bar/restaurant in the Chelsea art gallery district.

    Saturday, April 30 – Monday, May 2, 2005 1:00 pm – 6:00pm each day
    Tribeca Open Artist Studio Tour
    The Dawn Studio 333 Rector Place, Battery Park, NYC
    downtown studio solo exhibition
    http://www.toastartwalk.com
    >>> Over 50 artists open their studios located throughout the neighborhood of Tribeca this weekend which coincides with the famous Tribeca film festival. See the studio where Kimberly Dawn creates her art!

    http://www.kimberlydawn.com