Dallas Contemporary makes one last Wish! on Swiss 8th Annual Auction

by PegNews wire

Dallas Contemporary announces the return of the 8th annual Wish! Auction, the premier Dallas event for guests to discover emerging contemporary artists and add to their own collections. On Thursday, January 29, 2009, from 7 to 10 pm the event kicks off with a Premiere Peek party sponsored by PaperCity magazine. Culminating event celebrations on Saturday, January 31, 2009, from 7 to 11 pm with a Live Art Auction sponsored by Sotheby's. Bringing together 400 art enthusiasts and partygoers alike to the annual festivities, Wish! provides an opportunity to celebrate the new and exciting in the art world while supporting one of Dallas’ primary art institutions. More importantly, proceeds from the 2009 event will benefit the Art ThinkÔ program teaching 7,000 at risk students how to look at contemporary art and learn to think creatively.

Highlighting rising artistic talent, the Wish! event is a top fundraiser for Dallas Contemporary. Last year’s event raised an unprecedented $180,000 for exhibitions and $30,000 for “Paddles Up,” a Capital Campaign established for the future home of Dallas Contemporary. With an impending move to a new, larger location, Dallas Contemporary relies on the fundraising efforts behind events like Wish! to further its mission that cultivates artists, ignites learning, and inspires the community.

“Playing on last year’s success of “Paddles Up” for Dallas Contemporary’s new Capital Campaign, Wish! 2009 will help gain even more momentum in support of our new home at 161 Glass Street,” said Dallas Contemporary Director Joan Davidow. “This year the excitement of the crowd will wish for art and step up the pace for the new building.”

The 8th annual Wish! Auction exhibition debuts with the January 29 Premiere Peek party, giving art enthusiasts the chance to browse the gallery and claim their favorite contemporary pieces before Saturday night’s auction. Lush floral arrangements, cocktails, hors d’ouevres and dinner combine for a chic and enjoyable evening, making the Premiere Peek party an ideal start for Wish! 2009.

"We want visitors to have fun at this exciting, crowd-pleasing event and walk out with contemporary art under their arms!” said Davidow. “Thanks to wonderful support from the participating artists, donors and guests, Wish! helps Dallas Contemporary finance future exhibitions.”

The Wish! 2009 Auction also includes an online preview, opening the week of January 12, prior to the live event and allowing visitors to peruse works slated for auction. The glamorous green themed Live Auction event on January 31 features 25 works by the nation’s leading contemporary artists and designers; 2009 artists include John Pomara, Ludwig Schwarz, and Kirsten Macy. In true Texas style, an auctioneer will return to lead the bidding, coaxing guests to bid on their favorite pieces.

Collaborating with Dallas Contemporary for Wish! 2009 are headlining sponsor Sotheby’s and media sponsor PaperCity magazine. Sotheby’s Associate Eve Reid will serve as the Wish! 2008 Auction Chair and PaperCity Co-Editor, Brooke Hortenstine, as the Premiere Peek Chair.

Tickets to the Premiere Peek Party are $50 for non-members ($40 for members); Wish! Auction tickets are $125 for non-members ($100 for members). Reserve a café table (seating for six, limited to 30 tables), for $700 for non-members ($600 for members). Become a Wish! Special Friend with a $2,000 donation and Wish! Friend for $1,000.

Special thanks to Sotheby’s, PaperCity magazine, Glazer’s Distributors and Reinhardt Creative.

Source: Dallas Center for Contemporary Art