My Winning Bid!
Liz Miller Untitled 01 (Mimetic Deception) Mixed Media on paper 24x19x8.5 - 2012
The 1708 Gala is held yearly to support the contemporary arts, a non-profit artist run gallery and a derivative of VCU talent.
The music, champagne and wine flowed freely, mixed with a wide selection of tasty hors d'oeuvres taming a very large crowd of Richmond's finest art connoisseurs and of course the cream of the cream of our local contemporary artists. And one very slick auctioneer John Nicholls...John was fascinating to watch and listen to. He could easily get the the momentum going on a bid with the excitement of his rhythm. He almost caught me a few times, but I didn't come to buy, but observe, enjoy the company, and meet a few new friends.
I had the good fortune to run into Sandy Kjerulf, whom I met previously at a Childsavers luncheon. Sandy is chair of the art committee at Childsavers and gave me some very good news; several paintings I submitted to the Childsavers art collection were accepted.
Aside from the very successful live auction, the gallery also had a silent auction, closing 30 minutes later. I'm not sure how those art works were selected, but all were hung in a very nice rear entry hall leading to the tented pavilion where a disk jockey and more grazing was in process. One piece in particular caught my eye by artist Liz Miller, called Mimetic Deception (a mixed media paper construction in a acrylic box). Not wanting to feel left out at the end of the live auction I placed a successful bid for it and left the gallery a happy camper as did a lot of others.
Two of my personal favorites
Robert Waltz - Isola 36x36x4 - 2011
Susan Jamison - Egg tempera on panel - Recluse Me 20x16 - 2009
As a very special treat, I was introduced to both Robert Waltz and Susan by Jennie Kirby, our table host. And later Susan was invited to joined us at our table during the live auction. At the time I didn't know Susan is also the new incoming President Elect and a board member for 1708 Gallery.
My first time going to this event and certainly not my last.
