LONG BEACH, CA.- In celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month, MoLAA presents Auction 07, October 20th and 21st. A six-week preview exhibition from September 9 through October 19 will allow visitors to view the auction pieces in the MoLAA galleries, as well as online. The auction will feature over 300 extraordinary works of art by renowned artists from throughout Latin America, including Diego Rivera, Rufino Tamayo and Fernando Botero, whose artworks are expected to receive the highest bids.

With a population of over 42 million, Hispanics constitute America’s largest minority group_. Their influence on mainstream popular culture is evident, particularly in movies, music, fashion, and more recently, art. Latin American art has emerged as the next big thing in the art community and beyond. The Museum of Latin American Art (MoLAA), the only museum in the western United States that exclusively features contemporary Latin American fine art, is leading the way in celebrating the contemporary art and culture of Latin America.

In recent years, the market for artwork by Latin American artists has grown, and it’s not just Latin Americans who are purchasing it. MoLAA’s Vice President of Exhibitions, and auction specialist, Alex Slato says, “The influence of Latin American culture has become an international movement, and the interest in Latin American art has spilled over into mainstream gallery owners, art enthusiasts and connoisseurs. MoLAA’s annual auction offers art aficionados an exclusive opportunity to take home artwork from one of the most talented contemporary artists.”

The rapidly growing interest in Latin American art was demonstrated by the record sales at major auction houses in New York last year where sales in this genre doubled. Reflecting that trend, MoLAA’s auction, which first began in 2001, continues to grow, with last year’s auction attended by more than 1,000 people and art sales of over $1 million. The highest-selling item last year was Juanita con Flores, 1942 (Juanita with Flowers) by Venezuelan artist Armando Reveron (b.1889-1954), which sold for $197,000. All proceeds from the annual auction benefit MoLAA’s exhibitions and educational programs.

A recent addition to the annual festivities is the MoLAA Awards and Invitational Juried Competition, which recognizes mid-career and emerging Latin American artists, and offers $50,000 in prize money. The top four award winning works of art become part of MoLAA’s Permanent Collection. The other MoLAA Awards submissions will be up for bid during the auction.

The 2007 MoLAA auction weekend begins on Saturday, October 20, with a ticketed gala kick-off event. It concludes on Sunday, October 21 with an afternoon auction, which is free and open to the public. For those unable to attend, MoLAA will webcast the auction live at www.molaa.org/auction, courtesy of eBay Live Auctions.

Schedule of Events:
Auction Preview Exhibition (September 9 – October 19)
Symposium – New Trends in Collecting Contemporary Latin American Art (September 30)
MoLAA Auction 2007 (October 20-21)
Saturday, October 20 Silent Auction: 5:00pm - 7:30pm
Live Auction: 8:00pm - 10:00pm
$100 per person (includes Full-color Catalog, cocktails, heavy hors d’oeuvres and live music)
Sunday, October 21 Live Auction: 1:00pm – 5:00pm
Free and open to the public