The School of the Art Institute of Chicago (SAIC), a global leader in art and design education, recently celebrated their online art auction, running Nov.1-14 on Artsy.net, by hosting an exciting and whimsical A Happening Auction Party. The event recognized more than 80 generous artists and designers whose work, in both the online auction and live auction held at the benefit, sold 67 pieces and generated $641,625 for student scholarships.
The impressive list of artists includes Nick Cave, Sanford Biggers, Candida Alvarez, Roger Brown, Karl Wirsum, Angel Otero, Richard Hunt, Michelle Grabner, Jeffery Gibson, Diane Simpson, Richard Rezac and many more.
In celebration of these efforts, SAIC hosted A Happening Auction Party at its flagship public gallery, located at 33 E. Washington St., Nov. 11. The event attracted nearly 300 artists, designers and art enthusiasts, with notable guests including Phyllis Bramson, Lora Fosberg, Judith Geichman, Lorraine Peltz, Paul Rocca and Mary Lou Zelazny. The evening's entertainment consisted of “Happening” performances dispersed throughout the gallery, directed by SAIC Professor Mark Jeffery and inspired by the boisterous “Happenings” of Allan Kaprow during 1950-60s where he and his contemporaries would perform small tasks that encompassed art, performance and spontaneity. In addition to the performances, guests participated in a live auction featuring exclusive works by Suellen Rocca, Karl Wirsum, Roger Brown, Betsy Rupprecht and Ellen Lanyon.
"It's thrilling how so many in the School of the Art Institute of Chicago community—from donors and friends to alums and faculty—rallied for our students,” said SAIC President Elissa Tenny. “I am so grateful that their enthusiasm for the work of our faculty and alums will help ensure the next generation of student artists, designers, and scholars can realize their own creative potential."
For More Event Information
Details can be found at sites.saic.edu/artauction/.
About the School of the Art Institute of Chicago
For more than 155 years, the School of the Art Institute of Chicago (SAIC) has been a leader in educating the world’s most influential artists, designers, and scholars. Located in downtown Chicago with a fine arts graduate program ranked number two in the nation by U.S. News and World Report, SAIC provides an interdisciplinary approach to art and design as well as world-class resources, including the Art Institute of Chicago museum, on-campus galleries, and state-of-the-art facilities. SAIC’s undergraduate, graduate, and post-baccalaureate students have the freedom to take risks and create the bold ideas that transform Chicago and the world, and adults, teens, and kids in our Continuing Studies classes have the opportunity to explore their creative sides, build portfolios, and advance their skills. Notable alums and faculty include Georgia O’Keeffe, Nick Cave, David Sedaris, LaToya Ruby Frazier, Cynthia Rowley, Michelle Grabner, Richard Hunt, Apichatpong Weerasethakul, and Jeff Koons.