Sol LeWitt, installation and exhibition, Jan. '76

Hallwalls celebrates its 35th anniversary in 2009. To mark this milestone, in August and September Hallwalls has planned a rare (for us) two-part benefit art auction, the first part to take place here in Buffalo in Asbury Hall on the evening Thursday, August 6th, the second part to be conducted in New York City by and at Christie's on Wednesday, September 23, as part of Christie's fall 2009 "First Open" Sale of Post-War & Contemporary Art, and featuring donated works from just a select few of the many art world luminaries who either got their start here at Hallwalls or exhibited here early in their careers. (We'll have more information on the NYC auction at Christie's in our September printed calendar, as well as frequent updates on hallwalls.org.)

Benefit art auctions have proliferated in recent years, and not only for arts organizations. All kinds of nonprofits have gotten into the act. But the August 6th auction in Asbury Hall will be only the third auction Hallwalls has undertaken for its own benefit in its entire 35-year history, the first one in April of 1981 (when Hallwalls was a mere 6 years old), the last one 17 years ago in February of 1992. Like those, the August 2009 auction in Asbury Hall will also feature numerous donated works by both local and national, emerging and established artists, representing all periods of Hallwalls' illustrious history, from its founding in the fall of 1974 right up to recent exhibitions in our gallery by both visiting artists and artists living and working in Buffalo today.

The August 6th gala affair in Asbury Hall will feature both live and silent auctions, food, drink, and entertainment. Music will be provided by After Hours, a "Nouveau Lounge" band specializing in renditions of songs from different periods and genres, featuring vocalist Kristin Gilmet and an all-star backing group from Buffalo's original music scene, including members of Global Village Idiots, The Hook Generation, Paper Faces, and The Fems. There is a full-color printed catalogue with images of all the works in both auctions and a separate mailed invitation. Click here to see an online catalog of the works for sale at the Buffalo auction.

Silent Auction begins at 6:00 pm with Live Auction beginning at 8:00 pm. (The Silent Auction will continue past the conclusion of the Live Auction.) $35 general admission, $25 for Hallwalls members. Hors d'oeuvres and full-service open bar 6:00—10:00 pm. Pre-event tickets can be purchased at Hallwalls during gallery hours or online.

Artists in the Buffalo auction include: Bruce Adams, Chuck Agro, Laylah Ali, Julio Alvarez, Meredith Allen, Joanna Angie, Deborah Aschheim, Mary Begley, Roberley Bell, Diane Bertolo, Kathe Burkhart, Ellen Carey, Carlo Cesta, Millie Chen, Charles Clough, Kara Daving, Josh Dorman, Wayne Edson Bryan, Jackie Felix, A.J. Fries, Hans Gindlesberger, Mike Glier, Maria Elena Gonzalez, Lee Goreas, Megan Greene, Duayne Hatchett, Biff Henrich, Tom Holt, Jenny Holzer, Ani Hoover, Bryan Hopkins, George Afedzi Hughes, Richard Huntington, Bruce Jackson, Jed Jackson, Eric M. Jensen, Jacob Kassay, Kevin Kegler, Becky Koenig, Catherine Catanzaro Koenig, David Kramer, Suzy Lake, Mark Lavatelli, Daniel Levine, Joan Linder, Polly Little, Joshua Marks, Jennifer McMackon, Gerald Mead, Lillian Méndez, Julian Montague, Nathan W. Naetzker, Gary Nickard, Nancy J. Parisi, Ester Partegas, John Pfahl, Ann Pibal, Alberto Rey, Kelly Richardson, Alicia Ross, Barbara Rowe, Christy Rupp, Kathleen Sherin, Catherine Linder Spencer, Chrysanne Stathacos, Ellen Steinfeld, Peter Sowiski, Kara Tanaka, Rodney Taylor, Mark Dean Veca, Siebren Versteeg, virocode, Alfonso Volo, Kurt Von Voetsch, Patty Wallace, Jesse Webber, Adam Weekley, William Wegman, Barbara Weissberger and Jacqueline Welch.


To bid from outside of Buffalo on artworks in the Hallwalls 35th Anniversary Art Auction, one should call Hallwalls (716-854-1694) in advance to establish a bidding number and Hallwalls will arrange to have a confidential person be your proxy bidder via cell phone. The other option is to call Hallwalls to establish your maximum bid in advance (a sealed bid). Absentee bids by phone, fax or e-mail will be accepted until 5 pm, Wednesday, August 5, 2009. Please use this form for all absentee bids.
Phone: 716.854.1694
Fax: 716.854.1696
Email: polly at hallwalls dot org

Generous support for both auctions has been provided by the law firm of Hodgson Russ LLP, with offices in both Buffalo and New York City.