Will There Be Goths? Art Museum To Become 'Edgy Underground Club'

Submitted by the Laguna Art Museum:

On February 9, Laguna Art Museum will transform into an edgy underground club for its annual art auction fundraiser, Art Auction 2013: California Underground.

The event will showcase works of art from over 100 premier California artists such as Charles Arnoldi, Tony DeLap, Laddie John Dill, Manny Farber, Joe Goode, Roger Kuntz, Helen Lundeberg, Kim McConnel, and more, which will be sold during an exciting silent auction as well as a fast-paced live auction led by Christie’s International Auctioneer Andrea Fiuczynski.

Attendees will have the opportunity to support the museum’s education and exhibition programs by adding works by prestigious California artists to their collections. Bidding will start at 50% of the stated value, and all proceeds will benefit Laguna Art Museum, a non-profit organization. Triple Light Wedge (1971-2012) by Laddie John Dill is one of the most expensive works ever donated to the museum's auction. It will be available in the live auction with a starting bid of $17,500.

In addition to art, guests will enjoy a sampling of gastropub fare from local noteworthy restaurants including Nirvana Grille, Broadway by Amar Santana, Tamarind of London, Romeo Cucina, and Katsuya; vintage cocktails; wines from the Wine Gallery, Corona del Mar; floral design by Paul Fenner Floral Design; live DJ entertainment provided by The Observatory; and live art performances by Mimi Yoon and John Park.

Attendees will have the chance to mingle with featured artists, fellow collectors, and the museum’s curators and executive director. The event will culminate with a club-vibe afterparty featuring desserts by Simply Sweet Cakery, cocktails, lighting design by the Show Pros, and dancing.

Led by Art Auction 2013 co-chairs Sara Heeschen, Michele Monda, and Sarah Thorne-Markman; and committee members Jennifer Karam, Elizabeth Kramer, Deborah Lake, and Director of Special Events Sarah Strozza; Laguna Art Museum’s annual Art Auction has become one of Orange County’s most exciting art and social experiences. In 2012, the museum transformed into a glamorous art lounge and celebrated the most successful Art Auction to date with a 35% increase in revenue from 2011 and nearly 600 art enthusiasts in attendance. This event is a major annual fundraiser for the museum’s education and exhibition programs.

Laguna Art Museum will be open with free admission for patrons to preview the works featured in Art Auction 2013: California Underground from Monday, February 4 through Saturday, February 9. Absentee bids can also be made on the museum’s website in the online auction gallery.

On Sunday, February 10, from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., the museum will host a public sale during which any unsold works will be available for purchase at 50% of the stated value.

“The Art Auction committee is committed to making this event bigger and better each year,” said Art Auction co-chair Michele Monda. “This is such a fun and social event where people can see and be seen, but it’s really about raising money for the museum and its education and exhibition programs. Not only is this an important fundraiser for the museum, it is an opportunity for the museum to cultivate and deepen relationships with artists who generously donate their works to the auction and with local restaurants and businesses that generously sponsor this event. Both of these aspects of the Art Auction tie in to the museum’s mission of becoming a nationally recognized and locally relevant museum with a focus on the art of California.”

ART AUCTION 2013 SCHEDULE OF EVENTS

PREVIEW WEEK
February 4-9, 2013
Patrons are invited to view and bid on the silent auction items during preview week. Admission to the museum is free. Absentee bids can also be made on the museum’s website in the online auction gallery. Preview week hours are as follows:
Monday, February 4: 11:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.
Tuesday, February 5: 10:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.
Wednesday, February 6: 11:00 a.m.-8:00 p.m.
Thursday, February 7: 11:00 a.m.-9:00 p.m.
Friday, February 8: 11:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.
Saturday, February 9: 11:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m.

BONHAMS ART APPRAISAL CLINIC
February 5, 2013
Bonhams’ art appraisers will be at Laguna Art Museum on Tuesday, February 5 from 10:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. and 1:00-3:00 p.m. for an art appraisal clinic. Patrons are invited to bring their valued treasures for a verbal auction value appraisal and to preview the art available in Art Auction 2013. Admission to the museum is free, and the appraisal fee is $10.00 per item.

ART AUCTION 2013
February 9, 2013
The main gala event will take place on Saturday, February 9 from 6:00-9:00 p.m. Tickets are $125.00 for museum members at the Friend Level and higher, and $150.00 for all others. Tickets can be purchased on Laguna Art Museum’s website, or by calling 949.494.8971 x203. The price of the ticket includes appetizers and dinner, an open bar, valet parking, and the afterparty.

AFTERPARTY
February 9, 2013
Following Art Auction 2013, Laguna Art Museum will host an afterparty beginning at 9:00 p.m. featuring cocktails, desserts, live performances, and dancing. Tickets to the afterparty are $40.00 and can be purchased on Laguna Art Museum’s website, or by calling 949.494.8971 x203. Patrons who purchased tickets to Art Auction 2013 are already eligible to attend the afterparty and do not need to purchase additional tickets.

POST-AUCTION SALE
February 10, 2013
Works unsold during the auction will be for purchase at 50% of the stated value in a post-auction sale on Sunday, February 10 from 11:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. Admission is free.

For a full list of artists and much more information, click up the Laguna Art Museum's auction web page right here.