Dale Chihuly, Chalk White Seaform Set with Oxblood Lip Wraps, 1999. Blown glass. H 14, W 32, D 26 in. Selling price: $35,000
Bucking the gloomy economic atmosphere, supporters of Pilchuck showed up in force at the organization’s annual benefit auction last weekend, and they were ready to bid on artwork and donate. The 32nd running of the leading glass program’s annual auction netted $1.2 million through ticket sales, sponsorships, “Fund-the-Future” matching donations, and other direct giving. This represents an increase of $200,000 over 2009’s results. The 2010 figure matches exactly the money raised in 2008. “I couldn’t be happier with the results,” says new Pilchuck executive director Jim Baker in a prepared statement. “The quality of the artwork donated this year is evidence that Pilchuck is evermore appreciated by artists who come through the school. And the large turn-out of supporters and glass art collectors surpassed our expectations, greatly helping us meet our fund-raising goals.”
Pilchuck’s organizers credit the results of the event’s special “Fund-the-Future” program — a record-setting $250,000 — as pivotal in the impressive overall results. Seattle philanthropists Chap and Eve Alvord, honorary chairs for this year’s auction, are identified by event organizers as key factors in this accomplishment, as well as other generous donors they helped mobilize.
“Given the current economic climate and the fact that a bulk of our operating budget comes directly from our Annual Auction, the stakes were high and we are thrilled to have done so well,” executive director Baker continues.
Live auction results were also impressive thanks to big-ticket donated works that yielded notable results. The top three highest-grossing sales were Dale Chihuly’s 1999 seaform set, which fetched $35,000 (at estimate); Hiroshi Yanamo’s 2003 Fish Hanger #23, which brought $22,000 (under the $28,000 estimate), and Shelly Muzylowski-Allen’s 2010 Tinder, which sold for $22,000 (a whopping four times the estimate of $6,500!).
More information about the event can be found on the Pilchuck Website.