ST. LOUIS, MO.- The Contemporary Art Museum St. Louis announces it brought in more than $500,000 in revenue at the Arts Desire Art and Wine Auction on the evening of Saturday, May 12, setting a new fundraising record for the museum. The museum notes that this year’s Gala raised more revenue than its Inaugural Gala held when the museum opened four years ago. Net proceeds from the event, which exceed $350,000, will go to support the museum’s exhibitions and education programs which reach more than 35,000 people each year.

The gala was set against a hip backdrop incorporating the legendary Warhol “Factory.” More than 450 guests enjoyed an evening of dining and dancing among Andy Warhol’s Silver Clouds at the much anticipated biennial event last Saturday night.

The Warhol-esque fundraising event featured an exquisite Art and Wine Auction of 172 items of unprecedented quality. Highlights of the Art Auction included pieces by national artists Jeremy Blake, Tom Friedman, Roni Horn, Robert Motherwell, and Alexander Ross. The Wine and Luxury Auction featured fantastic packages such as the exceedingly rare opportunity for a tour and lunch with Bryant Family Vineyard winemaker Mark Aubert, a trip to Seattle for an exclusive tour of Dale Chihuly’s private studio, and a week stay in the Loire Valley – plus many great bottles of wine. The Art Auction was chaired by Dorte Probstein and the Wine Auction was co-chaired by Marc Lazar, David Obedin, and Cheresse Pentella.

Generous “Superstar Table” corporate sponsors at the Arts Desire gala included The Private Bank at Bank of America and Charter Communications. Corporate Patron Table sponsors of the event included Arch Coal, AT&T, Edward Jones, Emerson, Lexus, the Private Banking and Investment Group at Merrill Lynch, Renaissance Financial, and Thompson Coburn LLP. In-kind support was generously provided by Glazer’s, Neiman Marcus, TOKY Branding + Design, and Tiffany & Co. Media sponsors were KWMU 90.7and St. Louis Magazine.

The Contemporary also welcomed hundreds more guests – including many of the local artists featured in the Auction – to a Factory-themed After-Party held after the gala. Young Friends of the Contemporary and ArtLink hosted the After-Party sponsored by Anheuser-Busch and co-chaired by Amit Dhawan and Sam Foxman.