Contemporary Art Society’s “The Art Auction”


Make your reservations today for this black-tie event, hosted by the Museum’s Contemporary Art Society (CAS). Build your collection with museum-quality works—paintings, sculptures, drawings, prints, and videos—by artists Alice Neel, Roy Lichtenstein, Joel Shapiro, David Hockney, and more, while enjoying an evening of cocktails, dinner, and dancing. The silent and live auctions feature works valued from $500 to $120,000, all of which reflect the impeccable, informed taste of the curatorial staff and the CAS auction committee. This year’s featured print is Lucas/Woodcut by Chuck Close.

Two complementary events anticipate the gala. A Preview Party provides you with an opportunity to see the artworks for the live auction, attend an informal discussion about the pieces, and begin bidding on those “must-have” items in the silent auction. All of the art will remain on view in the Contemporary Galleries until the close of silent auction bidding, at the end of the gala. The Gallery Talk is your chance to learn more behind-the-scenes details about contemporary art and artists in a relaxed, social setting.

The gala traditionally attracts nearly four hundred Members from the Museum donor community. The number of attendees is limited, so begin coordinating your table now.

Buy It Now: Several auction items are available for purchase in advance. Artworks labeled Buy It Now may be acquired for the Patron Bid amount, as listed, without any further bidding. Sales are granted on a first-come, first-served basis.

Purchase auction items in advance
 

Individual Tickets
Table Tickets
Downloads

When and where

Preview Party
Thurs, Oct 14, 5:30–8 p.m.
Phone or email to attend

Gallery Talk
Tues, Oct 19, 1:30–2:30 p.m.
Phone or email to attend

The Art Auction
Sat, Oct 23, 6:00 p.m.
Windhover Hall
$300 per person, reservation needed. RSVP by October 7.

To receive more information about the event or make reservations, contact Rachel Vanderweit at 414-224-3883.

Bidding instructions:

Works of art for the Live Auction and the Silent Auctions will be on view in the Contemporary Galleries (main level) of the Milwaukee Art Museum October 14th–23rd.

The pre-sale estimate is provided by the Milwaukee Art Museum on all property included in the auction. This estimate is an approximate value based on comparable market values and reserves set by the galleries. Prices include costs incurred from transportation to the Museum and applicable framing.

Bids on silent auction items may be placed throughout the preview period at the gallery. Bids on all auction pieces may be placed in advance by completing the Absentee Bid Form before October 20th. Absentee Bid Forms require credit card information and a maximum bid amount in order for a museum representative to place bids for the absentee. Please fax or call (414) 224-3883 with this information to keep it secure.

A Patron Bid amount will be listed for each Silent Auction bid slip. The first bid at the Patron level will win the piece and close the bidding on that work.

Download the Conditions of Sales.

Event sponsored by:

Auction Chairs


  • Art Chairs
  • Joanne Murphy
  • Andy Nunemaker
  • Event Chairs
  • Stephen and Patricia Brink
  • James and Cynthia Stoll

Auction Committees


  • Art Selection
  • Donna Baumgartner
  • Jeffrey Kasch
  • Anthony Krausen
  • Joanne Murphy
  • Andy Nunemaker
  • Thomas Obenberger
  • Christine Symchych
  • Kathy Yuille
  • Art Advisors
  • General
  • Daniel Keegan
  • Brady Roberts
  • Glass
  • James and Ellen Flesch
      • Furniture
      • James Connelly
      • Photography
      • Lisa Hostetler
      • Art Auction Assistant
      • Rachel Vander Weit
  • Table Captain Chairs
  • Karen Drummond
  • Andrea Grant
  • CAS Donations
  • Susan Frautschi
  • Finance
  • Stephen Brink
  • Design and Decorations
  • James and Mary Connelly
  • Jane Lacy
  • Cynthia Stoll
  • Preview Party Chairs
  • Stephen and Patricia Brink
  • James and Cynthia Stoll
  • Kickoff Party
  • Joanne Murphy
  • Andy Nunemaker

  • Dinner
  • Café Calatrava
  • Music
  • Wall of Sound