MIAMI, FL.-Good news travels fast and great news even faster. Once word was out that the International Kids Fund (IKF) Latin American Art Auction 2007 was going to be held on November 8 for the third year, major contemporary artists from Latin America jumped on the bandwagon, to donate works of art this event. Known as the “The Collector’s Auction” throughout the art world, the caliber of art featured caters to art lovers interested in exploring new mediums and styles. These enthusiasts come from all over the world to be part of the bidding that occurs during both the silent and live auctions. Those who want to “jump the line” can begin to bid via the website at www.ikfartauction.com.

Artists include: Iran do Espirito Santo (Brazil), Ernesto Neto(Brazil)*, Allora & Calzadilla (Puerto Rico), Arnaldo Roche (Puerto Rico), Carlos Amorales (Mexico), Rafael Lozano-Hemmer (Mexico), Pedro Reyes (Mexico), Graciela Iturbide (Mexico), Leon Ferrari (Argentina), Fabian Marcaccio (Argentina), Liliana Porter (Argentina), Carlos Garaicoa (Cuba), Alexandre Arrechea (Cuba), Jose Bedia (Cuba), Anthony Goicolea (USA), Leo Villareal (USA), Andres Serrano (USA), Federico Herrero (Costa Rica), Ivan Navarro (Chile), Arturo Duclos (Chile), Marco Maggi (Uruguay), Regina Jose Galindo (Guatemala), Luis Gonzalez-Palma (Guatemala), Eugenio Espinoza (Venezuela), among othes.

The IKF Latin American Art Auction 2007 is the signature fund raising event for the International Kids Fund, a philanthropic program created by the Jackson Memorial Foundation in 2002, to help sick children receive treatment at The Holtz Children’s Hospital. “This event,” says Rosy Cancela, auction chair and one of the founders of the event, makes history because it links the art and medical philanthropic worlds, a unique concept that has never been explored in Miami. Bottom line, the money that is raised is used to save the lives of sick children. Everyone who makes a purchase that night will not only leave with a beautiful piece of art but also with a warm feeling in his or her heart. What can be better than that?.

Hernan Carrara, Executive Director of The Miami Art Project, the organization that has selected the art for the past three years, says that Latin American art is more popular than ever as witnessed by record breaking sales every year at places such as Sotheby’s and Christie’s. The IKF Latin American Art Auction 2007 takes place right before these auctions in New York this year.

This year, in addition to the silent and live auctions, there will be a Collector’s Corner, a feature that provided collectors with the opportunity to donate major pieces of art to be sold at the auction.

Another first is the partnership that was launched with the New World School of the Arts in Miami to create a competition for ten college students in the Visual Arts Department. Bonnie Clearwater, Executive Director at the Museum of Contemporary Art, North Miami (MoCA), judged the students’ works of art, and the three top winners received cash prizes. In addition, these art-works will be exhibited and available for purchase at the auction.

The IKF Latin American Art Auction produces a magnificent color catalogue that features the array of work that will be available at the auction along with biographies of the artists who have donated their work. The catalogue was unveiled at a cocktail party that took place at The Sagamore Hotel in South Beach. Winners from the New World School of the Arts were announced during the evening’s festivities.

Some of the most prestigious companies in Miami lend their support to our cause. Sponsors for the auction include: American Prime; Fed-Ex; Schwab; Visa International; Turner Construction; Pro-Med Personnel Services; and Regions Bank.

The IKF Latin American Art Auction 2007 will take place on Thursday November 8, starting at 7pm at CIFO (Cisneros Fontanals Arts Foundation) in Miami located at 1018 North Miami Avenue.