At the Penticton Art Gallery’s largest fundraiser of the year, collectors will have a chance to get their hands on a plethora of great pieces that range from iconic to obscure.
This includes a painting from Canadian painter Maud Lewis, a historical piece from famous French painter Jacque-Louis Davide and even the obscure when a painting made by an elephant in Thailand goes on the auction block.
Paul Crawford, curator at the gallery, said the auction is a major fundraiser and helps “keep the lights on.”
Proceeds from the auction goes largely to programming, specifically children’s initiatives at the gallery.
“This is the 41st annual rendition of this event. We probably have about 150 items up for auction between the live and silent auction. We have art from artists around the word. It’s fine art. A high-end kind of an auction. We really want to promote a culture of collecting,” said Crawford.
Anticipated as the largest ticket item this year is Winter Sleigh by Maud Lewis.
Lewis is one of Canada’s best known folk artists and lived most of her life in poverty with her husband in a small home in Marshalltown, N.S. Her brightly coloured paintings of flowers, animals and outdoor scenes are easily recognizable. The painting being auctioned is a yellow sleigh, Crawford said a similar painting of a red sleigh recently sold in another auction for $24,000.
The gallery received the donation of the painting from a private collector in the area who is getting on in years and wanted it to go to new home where it would be appreciated. The painting comes with newspaper clippings and an affidavit.
“The person who owns it was born and raised in Halifax in the ’60s. She spent the afternoon with her and bought this painting from her and and it’s hung in her home ever since. She’s (the donator has) certainly been a big supporter of the gallery over the years,” he said.
Crawford said the obscure — a single rose painted by an elephant — was picked up by the donor while on a trip to Thailand.
“It’s just an interesting, fun piece,” he said.
A preparatory drawing from Jacque-Louis Davide, a famous late 1800s French painter known for his painting of a “guy in the bathtub or Napoleon on his horse rearing up on his hind legs,” Crawford said.
Also up are several posters from Alexandre Steinlen who was famous for making posters with cats in the 1800s. Other well known artists with work in the auction include abstract 1950s painter Robert Motherwell, work by Michael Hermesh, Ken Lund photographs and much more.
The online portion of the auction has started. Anyone interested in seeing the catalogue can do so by going to www.32auctions.com/PAG2018.
Bids can be made online until the day before the event by anyone that might not be able to attend the fundraising event at the gallery on June 28. If no other bids are made, the online bidder will win. For those not attending, they can have art gallery staff bid on their behalf if set up ahead of time.
The auction goes from 5:30 to 10 p.m. and includes a meal catered by Chef Instead and a cash bar including Cannery Brewing Co. and local wines.
Tickets are $80 for non-members, $70 for members and there is a VIP package available for $150, which includes preferred seating and exclusive cocktail reception with the curator before the event.
Tickets can be bought at the Penticton Art Gallery or by calling 250-493-2928.
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