Gallery hosts ‘Big Art Auction’

Raising money for its educational programs is the goal of the National Gallery’s “Big Art Auction 3” next month. 

Now in its third year, the auction features a selection of works by well-known artists who are invited to donate a current piece of work, the proceeds of which they split with the gallery. 

The artworks are on exhibit in the gallery’s Dart Auditorium for three weeks prior to the auction, from Sept. 17 to Oct. 1, allowing local collectors and the public the opportunity to enjoy the works prior to the invitation-only auction.  

Participating artists include Alejandro Angel, John Bird, John Broad, Randy Chollette, Kaitlyn Elphinstone, Hannah Cook, Davin Ebanks, Teresa Grimes, Guy Harvey, Bendel Hydes, Greg Lipton, Miguel Powery, Mikael Seffer, Joanne Sibley and CE Whitney.  

The gallery will also be auctioning a lithograph from Francisco Goya’s famous “Los Caprichos” series, considered one of the most influential series of graphic images in the history of Western art. The lithograph was one of 16 on display at “Metamorphoses,” an exhibition at the gallery earlier this year. The lithograph has been donated by a local collector. 

“Given the success of the first auction, we decided to make this an annual event on our fundraising calender as part of our wider efforts to raise 52 percent of our operating budget per annum,” said gallery director Natalie Urquhart.  

“Unlike the first art auction, where artists generously donated 100 percent of funds raised, the annual Big Art Auction sees 50 percent of funds to the artist and 50 percent to NGCI education and collections, in an effort to ensure the project is sustainable and of benefit to both parties. Funds are earmarked for collection development and for our collection-based educational initiatives.” 

Urquhart added, “Education is central to the NGCI’s mission of promoting the appreciation and practice of the visual arts of the Cayman Islands.”  

The gallery offers more than 25 outreach and educational programs monthly. 

For more details, visit nationalgallery.org.ky.