33rd Annual Art Auction Raises More Than $1.14M for Pilchuck Glass School

Oct. 25, 2011 - PRLog -- On October 14, 650 guests attended the 33rd Pilchuck Glass School Auction, raising more than $1.14 million for the school’s educational programs. 650 glass collectors, philanthropists, artists and other supporters bid on more than 350 works of art contributed by noted and emerging local, national and international artists.

According to Executive Director Jim Baker, “The generosity of all those who contributed to the event will impact the lives of hundreds of artists working in glass in this country and around the world. The success of tonight’s event demonstrates this community’s commitment to quality arts education.” Over the last four decades, Pilchuck has educated thousands of artists and fueled a movement in glass art. Its annual gala is the largest glass auction in the world and revenues support the mission of the school.

Among the highlights of the seventy-item live auction was a lively bidding war on Silvered Soft Cylinder with Tangerine Lip Wrap by Dale Chihuly, selling for more than 40% above its stated value at $46,000 to collectors from Chicago. An acrylic painting by the late artist Italo Scanga, titled Angel With Child, was the first item offered in the live auction and sold at more than 400% of its value. Legendary glass artist William Morris’ Stone Vessel fetched $26,000, well above its valuation at $10,000. Cocoon, a graceful oblong carved vessel by emerging artist Armelle Bouchet O’Neill fetched $6,000—more than three times its stated value.

The live auction was kicked off with a tribute by Pilchuck Trustee Fay Hauberg Page in honor of her parents Anne Gould Hauberg and the late John H. Hauberg (1916-2002), philanthropists and fervent supporters of artists and arts organizations in Seattle. Together with Dale Chihuly the two founded the school in 1971. Clips of an upcoming PBS documentary about Pilchuck featured footage of noted artists Lino Tagliapietra, Bertil Vallien and Dale Chihuly, as well as Anne Gould Hauberg. Said Hauberg, who was not able to attend, “If you don’t support artists you won’t have them.” The 2011 auction honored the Hauberg Family and their ongoing legacy of supporting the arts.

The night before the gala featured Pilchuck on Display, a free public exhibition of the artworks offered for auction that included docent-led tours by artist and Cornish instructor Tina Aufiero, emerging artist and Pilchuck Trustee Sean O’Neill and Bainbridge Art Museum Executive Director Greg Robinson. The week’s events were complemented by a well-established four-day tour of area artist studios and private art collections.

The Presenting Sponsor of the 2011 Pilchuck Auction is Wells Fargo Private Bank, with support also coming from Chateau Ste. Michelle, Gaffer Glass, Imagine Color Service, KP Corporation, Merklin Design. Nordstrom, Schack Arts Center and Theo Chocolate.

The 2012 Pilchuck Auction is scheduled for Friday, October 12, 2012.

About Pilchuck

Founded in 1971 by Dale Chihuly, Anne Gould Hauberg and John H. Hauberg (1916-2002), Pilchuck Glass School is an international center for glass art education. Located on a tree farm in Stanwood, Washington, Pilchuck sponsors two- and three-week classes each summer in a broad spectrum of glass techniques, as well as residencies for emerging and established artists working in all media. Now celebrating its fortieth anniversary, Pilchuck has become the largest and most comprehensive international educational center for artists working in glass. Follow Pilchuck on  Facebook at facebook.com/PilchuckGlassSchool and on Twitter at twitter.com/pilchuck

Pilchuck Glass School and its programs are supported, in part, by grants and awards from the following: the National Endowment for the Arts, the Washington State Arts Commission, PONCHO, The Paul G. Allen Family Foundation, the Artsfund Foundation, the Jean K. Lafromboise Foundation and many generous individuals.