LAGUNA BEACH, CA.- Laguna Art Museum’s 2012 Art Auction fundraiser grossed approximately $182,000 on February 4, 2012 for the museum’s education and exhibition programs, which is $50,000 more than it raised at its 2011 Art Auction.

Additionally, attendance increased by 35% from 2011 with 584 people attending the 2012 soiree. Of the 106 participating auction artists, 47 attended including Marlo and Cathy Bartels, Guillermo Bert, Mark Chamberlain, Deborah Davidson, Jorge Dubin, Jacques Garnier, Tomb Lamb, Nobuhito Nishigawara, Vladimir Sokolov, Theodore Svenningsen, James Verbicky, and Victor Hugo Zayas (whose solo exhibition opens at Laguna Art Museum on February 26, 2012).

Fourteen of the 106 works sold at or above value. The top three works sold at the event were in the live auction and included Summer Séance by Tony DeLap which sold for $17,000, The Electric Fields II by Theodore Svenningsen which sold for $12,000, and Blitz (Study One) by James Verbicky which sold for $7,150. The top item sold in the silent auction was Beverly Hills Adjacent by Scott Yeskel which sold for $6,500. Seventy percent of the works sold, and the remaining pieces are available on the museum’s website through Friday, February 10 at the minimum bid price which is 50% of the stated value.

The museum transformed into a glamorous art lounge on February 4, 2012 for its annual art auction fundraiser. Art Auction 2012: California Art Lounge showcased works of art from over 100 premier California artists, which were sold during a fast-paced live auction as well as a silent auction. The live auction was led by auctioneer Jim Nye, Laguna Art Museum’s new executive director Dr. Malcolm Warner, and curator of exhibitions Grace Kook-Anderson. Attendees had the opportunity to support the museum’s education and exhibition programs by adding works of art by California artists to their collections.

In addition to art, Art Auction 2012 featured a sampling of cuisine from local restaurants including Nirvana Grille, Pelican Hill, Romeo Cucina, French 75, Tamarind of London, and Katsuya by Stark; cocktails with tequila by Tres Sietes and vodka by Ketel One and Finladia; wine from The Organic Cellar; live DJ entertainment provided by The Observatory; floral design by Roger's Gardens; and live art performances by Hans Haveron, John Park, Michael Pukac, and Mimi Yoon sponsored by BLUECANVAS. Attendees had the chance to mingle with participating artists, fellow collectors, and the museum’s new executive director Dr. Malcolm Warner. Following the auction, the museum hosted an afterparty featuring desserts by Simply Sweet Cakery, duck tacos by French 75, cocktails, and dancing.

Led by Art Auction 2012 co-chairs Sara Heeschen, Michele Monda, and Sarah Thorne-Markman; and committee members Jennifer Karam, Elizabeth Kramer, Deborah Lake, and Director of Special Events Sarah Strozza; Laguna Art Museum’s annual Art Auction has quickly become one of Orange County’s most exciting art and social experiences. This event is a major annual fundraiser for the museum’s education and exhibition programs. Many of the artists that participated in Art Auction 2012 have been involved with Laguna Art Museum over the past year in exhibitions such as Best Kept Secret: UCI and Development of Contemporary Art in Southern California, 1964-1971, and special events like Palette to Palate and the 13th Annual Laguna Beach Plain Air Painting Invitational.