For its 2023 Gala and Auction taking place on October 11, UrbanGlass is putting a wide range of artworks up for bid as part of its annual fundraising event. At $9,000, the auction item with the highest minimum bid is for an unusual blend of performance art, glass blowing, and fine dining that will take place in the open-access art center's state-of-the-art hotshop. This unique experience will see the winning bidder and up to 11 guests meet up to celebrate the fusion of glass art and culinary ingenuity as glass artist, designer, progressive farmer and UrbanGlass board member Robert DuGrenier, working together with New York Times-starred chef Alex Sorenson of Blank Slate Kitchen, whip up an unforgettable feast for the senses.
The ingredients in this exquisite multi-course meal, sourced from farms in Vermont and New York State, will be accompanied by fine wine. How will this be prepared in a facility with no commercial stove you might ask? Well, this meal is cooked with molten glass. According to chef Sorenson, that leaves only a narrow window of ideal searing and cooking temperatures, which promises a thrilling demonstration of culinary finesse, artistic ingenuity, and technical expertise.
After a creative performance worthy of the artistic venue, DuGrenier and Sorenson will join guests to savor the results, and to discuss the process and field any questions. The winning bidder will have the opportunity to schedule this one-of-a-kind experience on a mutually agreed upon date within a full year of the auction event.
With bidding also online, you do not need to be in attendance to take part in what promises to be a lively war to land Auction Item #40, entitled "Flame and Feast".