Benjamin Cobb, Visceral Stomach, 2010. Blown glass. H 33, W 14 1/2, D 7 in. Estimate: $4,000.
More than 250 works in glass will be going up for auction on Friday, October 15th, at the Westin Seattle as part of a black-tie fund-raising event that will support the educational and artistic programs at The Pilchuck Glass School for the 32nd year running. In addition to the work up for live and silent bidding, there will be table centerpieces designed by regular Pilchuck instructor Chuck Vannatta, who, alongside a team of 30 volunteer artists, created large glass vessels that reference the flora and fauna that surround Pilchuck’s rustic Northwest coast location.
Available in print and online, the catalog of the auction items showcases a wide range of work donated by a diverse group of established and emerging artists employing a variety of styles and techniques. The top estimates are for work by Dale Chihuly (Chalk White Seaform Set with Oxblood Lip Wraps, $35,000), Hiroshi Yamano (Fish hanger #23, $28,000), Davide Salvadore (Bea, $21,000), and KeKe Cribbs (Bertha, $20,000), but there are numerous works in the sub-$5,000 range, many from emerging artists such as Miguel Unson, Courtney Branam, Takuya Tokizawa, Mielle Riggie, and Benjamin Cobb. The auction pieces were selected by a jury comprised of artists, curators and collectors, including: Pilchuck Artistic Director Ruth King, Seattle Art Museum Director Derrick Cartwright, collectors Karyl Alvord and Sally Reeve, artist Susan Holland-Reed, and longtime Pilchuck Trustee Patricia Wallace.
Miguel Unson, La Mer, 2010. Flameworked, kiln-formed Bullseye glass. H 18 1/2, W 18 1/2, D 3/4 in. Estimate: $4,900.
Seattle philanthropists Chap and Eve Alvord will serve as the Pilchuck gala’s honorary chairs. “What makes the Alvords’ involvement so special is their passion for glass art,” says new Pilchuck executive director James Baker. “They have an incredible private collection and a wealth of knowledge about the art they have collected, which is based on their love for the material and the artists, as well as the ideas conveyed through the creative process. We are fortunate to have them as Honorary Chairs at this year’s gala event.”
KeKe Cribbs, Bertha, 2004. Stoneware, glaze, china paints, gold luster, reverse-fired enamels, mosaic glass. H 19, W 13, D 12 in. Estimate: $20,000.
A preview of the work going up for auction tomorrow night is available at the Westin hotel. Entitled “Pilchuck on Display: An Exhibition of International Glass Art“ the free exhibition will be unveiled this evening, October 14th from 6 to 8 PM in the Grand Ballroom of The Westin Seattle, in an event that is open to the public.
In addition, the Nordstrom flagship store in downtown Seattle had featured large-scale installations in its window displays, which included selected works from the auction as well as examples of Vannatta’s centerpieces to help build awareness of this event.
Tickets for the gala begin at $275 per person, and are still available. For more information or reservations please email reservations@pilchuck.com or call 206.621.8422, ext. 34. If you cannot attend in person, consider following along via the Internet, where you can bid online.
Dino Rosin, L'Attesa, 2010. Solid, hot-sculpted glass. H 21, W 5 1/4, D 8 1/2 in. Estimate: $15,000
IF YOU GO:
The 32nd Annual Pilchuck Auction October 15th, 5 – 11 PM The Westin Seattle 1900 Fifth Avenue Seattle, Washington 98101 Download reservation form here.Fax the form to Helga Hizer at (206) 621-0713
For More information email hhizer@pilchuck.com, or call (206) 621-8422 × 34