This Wednesday night, Sotheby’s in New York auctioned off several post-war and contemporary art pieces to a total of over $130 million. One of the top sales was an Andy Warhol piece entitled “200 One Dollar Bills,” which sold for $43.7 million. The circa-1962 piece was last sold by Sotheby’s over 20 years ago for $300,000…. a fantastic investment for that collector, a taxi-cab tycoon! The winning bid is thought to have  come from a phone bid, and far surpassed the $12 million estimate. In addition, another bidder paid $6.1 million for Warhol’s 1965 “Self Portrait.”

Sotheby’s reported total sales of $181,770,000 on and featured five works that sold for more than $10 million. The cautious auction house initially thought it would take in $115.3 million.

As for the auction bidders, they included some famous names such as fashion designer Valentino Garavani and jeweler Laurence Graff.

On the retail front, mega-dealer Larry Gagosian has recently opened up his first retail store on Madison Avenue in New York. Gagosian buys and sells hundreds of millions of dollars in paintings and sculptures each year and has galleries from New York, to LA, to his newest space in Athens, Greece. In his new retail shop, price points are much more accessible. Design objects like books, wallpaper, and furniture are for sale, as are posters and other works from his “stable” of artists: Ed Ruscha, Marc Newson, Jeff Koons, and Richard Prince.

Downstairs of the shop you’ll find “Other Criteria,” the art house created by Damien Hirst (Gagosian’s client) and others that offers limited-edition books, posters, magazines, and accessories. “Other Criteria” is based in London and the Madison Avenue store will be the first U.S. location. The Gagosian Gallery store will have a complete, publicly available archive of the gallery’s publications. Shown above are white-glazed porcelain “Puppy Vases” (1998) by Jeff Koons, in an edition of 3,000,000. They retail for $7,500 each plus shipping. Get ‘em while they’re hot!

And the winner is… Chakaia Booker’s sculpture “Discarded Memories”! The young Benefactors chose this piece at last night’s Annual Acquisition Dinner and Gala. Our $18,000 budget will be used (in part) to add this piece to the Utah Museum of Fine Art’s collection. Many thanks to Jessica Peterson and Jill Dawsey for organizing and bringing this event to fruition. Based on my table’s opinion, this piece won by a landslide.

The event brought many local collectors and art folks together; our new Salt Lake Art Center’s executive director, Adam Price, was at our table, as was Brent Schneider, who gave a very inspiring speech, challenging us to ask “what is art?” A few Gallery MAR collectors were in the house, so thank you for supporting the UMFA!

If you enjoy discussing modern and contemporary art, the Young Benefactors at the UMFA is a perfect fit for you. Don’t let the name fool you: there is no specified age range for membership and they welcome everyone. “Young” represents fresh, innovative ways of seeing and experiencing the visual world. I’ve enjoyed all of the opportunities that the Young Benefectors membership has provided me. My favorite event was the “Behind the Scenes” tour of the museum’s collection.

[From the UMFA website]:  Established in 2004, the Young Benefactors organization of the Utah Museum of Fine Arts is a leadership association for individuals dedicated to cultivating stewardship for the Museum and its collections. Young Benefactors use a portion of their combined membership dues to purchase a work of art for the UMFA’s permanent collection each year; making the group vital to the future of the UMFA, and to the cultural vitality of the community and the State of Utah.

Young Benefactors membership offers a unique opportunity to mingle with a diverse group of people who share a passion for learning about, and encouraging advocacy for, the visual arts. Group activities include a variety of educational programs and social events including curator and director-led tours of museum exhibitions, tours of private art collections and artists’ studios, and private receptions at area art galleries.

We’ve just finished hosting Recycle Utah at Gallery MAR for the “Charity Gallery Stroll,” here in Park City.  Recycle Utah has some new members, we gave away a gorgeous art gift basket, and educated some newbies about recycling practices and “going green.” Did you know that the most “eco-friendly” time to run the dishwasher is at night? A little white noise for your slumber.

Here at Gallery MAR we recycle, well, almost everything! We reuse cardboard boxes, bubble wrap, and peanuts, and re-use and recycle our paper products as well as cardboard, plastic, and aluminum. We’re very fortunate to enjoy  the recycling capabilities that we have here in Park City.

A few of our artists also recycle products and found-objects and use them in their artworks. Sustainable metal and wood artist Joe Norman makes tables and pedestals out of found objects, reclaimed palette wood, and car and bike parts. And Michael Bingham has used reclaimed highway signs and car parts in his wall pieces, towers and beacons. Bingham’s work is featured above; the wing of this sculpture is from an old Coca Cola billboard.

When shipping artwork (or moving house, as I am this week), you can re-use a well-made cardboard box at least 4 times before the edges start to fray. At that point, the cardboard gets cut into rectangles and becomes a shield between paintings in our back storage area. The life of the tree keeps on giving! Bubble wrap, Styrofoam peanuts, and other “fillers” can be re-used indefinitely and there are some fantastic new biodegradable options in the packing department.

I know my collectors appreciate that their fine art purchases are brought to them in the most “green” way possible. Now, if we could just get Federal Express to offset their carbon imprint…

“Casting Survivors” A Benefit for Image Reborn, Park City

TODAY–Saturday, October 24th from 4-7 p.m.

Join Gallery MAR and Image Reborn for a celebration of life. New art work by Ashley Bennett-Stoddard, inspired by breast cancer survivors. The exhibition will feature a new series of paintings dealing with the emotions of the healing process as well as bust reliefs of breast cancer survivors. The journey of the survivor is Bennett-Stoddard’s inspiration for these paintings. Nine of Bennett-Stoddard’s new pieces will be donated to “Image Reborn” and will be sold through a silent auction on the night of the show. “Image Reborn” is Park City retreat for women who have breast cancer. Together we can inspire a difference. In addition, Ashley Bennett-Stoddard has designed a gorgeous silver pendant for “Image Reborn.” It is a fund raiser for their cause, and viewed at abennettstoddard.com. October is Breast Cancer Awareness month. RSVP to Gallery MAR is required, so call today: 435.649.3001.

Thanks to (a)perture marketing for their fresh and funky night of art and fashion at The Yard in Park City. Elegent estate pieces by Nicole Miller, artwork from four local galleries, and a fashion show featuring a bevy of local boutiques were the main attraction… although Jean Louis’ delicious food and drinks were favorites as well. Mayor Dana Williams even got in on the action and stomped the catwalk with a stylish scarf from Mary Jane’s. The Yard was transformed by a Salt Lake graffiti artist and the talented divas of (a)perture marketing. I think that we need more if these atypical events here in Park City. Just a thought: more art, design and fashion…  and less celebrity ski race and auction. Featured Gallery MAR artists: Ronald Ray Rogers, Fred Calleri, Mary Scrimgeour, and Lisa Lamoreaux.

“Art Meets Fashion” Supported by Gallery MAR and presented by (a)perture marketing and Park City Magazine at The Yard, Park City

This Saturday, October 17th at 6 p.m.

Art Meets Fashion, Park City, will open with an exclusive cocktail hour from 6-7 pm and will offer a selection culinary delights and a selection of fine beverages from Park City’s finest establishments. By showcasing the fashion arts amidst a backdrop of fine art, (a)perture aims to bring attention to all aspects of the artistic experience. Fashion shows will commence at 7 pm through close of evening. An after party of dancing will conclude the festivities.

Ticket sales will benefit two local Park City charities; The Peace House and Summit County Friends of Animals. AMF is a diverse event that presents runway inspired fashion shows in alternative artistic settings. Each event is unique to the host city and features local artists, fashion boutiques and designers. The community inspired event is designed to benefit local charities. For information regarding this event please contact (a)perture marketing at 801.953.0109 or visit www.apertureslc.com

Mary Scrimgeour, “Some Good Hats,” Mixed Media, 2009

I am very pleased to announce a series of exhibitions, fund-raisers, and artful events for Gallery MAR’s Autumn season. Mark your calendars, and we hope to see you here!

Upcoming Events and Exhibitions

• “Art Meets Fashion” Presented by Gallery MAR and (a)perture marketing at The Yard, Park City
  

Saturday, October 17th at 6 p.m.

Art Meets Fashion, Park City, will open with an exclusive cocktail hour from 6-7 pm and will offer a selection culinary delights and a selection of fine beverages from Park City’s finest establishments. By showcasing the fashion arts amidst a backdrop of fine art, (a)perture aims to bring attention to all aspects of the artistic experience. Gallery MAR artists will exhibit their works in The Yard’s gallery. Fashion shows will commence at 7 pm through close of evening. An after party of dancing will conclude the festivities.

Ticket sales will benefit two local Park City charities; The Peace House and Summit County Friends of Animals. AMF is a diverse  event that presents runway inspired fashion shows in alternative artistic settings. Each event is unique to the host city and features local artists, fashion boutiques and designers. The community inspired event is designed to benefit local charities. For information regarding this event please contact (a)perture marketing at 801.953.0109 or visit www.apertureslc.com

• “Casting Survivors” A Benefit for Image Reborn, Park City
  

Saturday, October 24^th from 4-7 p.m.

Join Gallery MAR and Image Reborn for a celebration of life! View new art work by Ashley Bennett-Stoddard, inspired by breast cancer survivors, as you sip pink champagne and enjoy appetizers from culinary artist Jean Louis. The exhibition will feature a new series of paintings dealing with the emotions of the healing process as well as bust reliefs of breast cancer survivors. The journey of the survivor is Bennett-Stoddard’s inspiration for these paintings. Nine of Bennett-Stoddard’s new pieces will be donated to “Image Reborn” and will be sold through a silent auction on the night of the show. “Image Reborn” is Park City retreat for women who have breast cancer. Together we can inspire a difference. In addition, Ashley Bennett-Stoddard has designed a gorgeous silver pendant for “Image Reborn.” It is a fund raiser for their cause, and viewed at abennettstoddard.com. October is Breast Cancer Awareness month. RSVP to Gallery MAR is required.

• “Green Art Stroll” Recycle Utah Awareness at Gallery MAR
  

Friday, October 30th from 6 to 9 p.m.

Join Gallery MAR in welcoming the Park City Recycle Center for a night of “Going Green,” recycling awareness, and recycled artworks by locals Young Artists. Become a member of the Recycle Utah Recycling Center and  you will be entered to win a fabulous art prize.

• “Herb and Dorothy,” The Movie: You don’t have to be a Rockefeller to Collect Art.
  

Thursday, December 3rd at 6 p.m.

Gallery MAR sponsors HERB & DOROTHY, a new film which tells the extraordinary story of Herbert Vogel, a postal clerk, and Dorothy Vogel, a librarian, who managed to build one of the most important contemporary art collections in history with very modest means. In the early 1960s, when very little attention was paid to Minimalist and Conceptual Art, Herb and Dorothy Vogel quietly began purchasing the works of unknown artists. Devoting all of Herb’s salary to purchase art they liked, and living on Dorothy’s paycheck alone, they continued collecting artworks guided by two rules: the piece had to be affordable, and it had to be small enough to fit in their one-bedroom Manhattan apartment.

This film is brought to the Jim Santy Auditorium in Park City by Gallery MAR and is a fund raiser. The movie ticket sales will go to benefit Arts Kids, Park City, an after-school group that empowers youth through the expressive arts, and connects students thorough creativity. Ticket prices are $7 for adults and $5 for students/seniors. The Jim Santy Auditorium is located at 1255 Park Avenue, Park City, Utah, 84060 (above the library). Recommended for art lovers, aged 10 and up.

Kieron Williamson’s artworks are filled with light, perspective and dimension. The palette is pleasing and the composition is well designed.  Watercolors are never easy to master, and yet this artist has defined his own look at a tender (and almost unbelievable) age: six. I don’t know about you, but at age six I was freely experimenting with finger paints and glitter, not mastering watercolor.

These paintings of harbor scenes, rural vistas, animal portraits and landmarks, have shadow and reflections that demonstrate an ability well beyond his young age. This summer, he is preparing for hist first exhibition near his home in Norfolk, England. I’m sure he’ll have to look for a larger gallery, with all of the fuss and publicity that he is receiving.

His mother, Michelle, said, ‘Until last year he didn’t draw anything and in fact we had to draw dinosaurs for him to color in. The turning point was when we took our first family holiday to Devon and Cornwall last May and he liked the boats and scenery. He asked for some plain paper and started drawing his own stuff. At the time, they were like the drawings of most five-year-olds, but he really took off after going to some art classes. We often think about why Kieron has chosen art in this way and I think it’s because we live in a top-floor flat and we have no garden or outside space, so perhaps he’s had to create his own scenery.”

The young artist agrees with his “Mum,” saying, “‘I like painting because it’s fun and inspiring. It makes me think of places I can’t see. I’m going to send one of my pictures to Prince Charles. I’ve already sent one to the Queen but I haven’t had a reply yet. ”

It’s unusual for such a young artist to have such a great deal of definition. His ability to paint in a stylistic way is remarkable, as most children his age would be less precise and patient, splashing paint all over the paper.  His talent was recognized by a family friend, artist Carol Ann Pennington, who offered to give him lessons at age five and from there his talent has grown.

Another favorite (and controversial) young artist is Marla Olmstead, of Bridgehampton, New York. Her paintings are gaining huge popularity amongst the public and are currently on display in several museums. She’s had many sell-out shows in the New York area. But she’s only a child! Olmstead quickly rose to fame at the age of 4.  Soon after her first art show was hung, a “60 Minutes” episode showed the public that the authenticity of her work was under doubt.  Some of that controversy has since disappeared since, and she is back in demand with art collectors, selling original paintings for tens of thousands of dollars. This young girl is sweet and innocent, and painfully shy, and is said to be the quietest one in class. And she’s clearly adorable.

But here’s the controversy: Marla paints alone, and sometimes under the supervision of her Dad; and, her painting process has only been documented a few times. The 2007 documentary “My Kid Could Paint that” highlights this discussion: did Marla complete the paintings by herself or did she do so with her parents’ assistance and/or direction? And what does this say about the nature of contemporary art and abstract expressionism? What about the value of works by accomplished artists, as opposed to art world newbies?How do we decipher between the two if they truly look alike?

I think that there will always be more value in works by artists who have truly studied and lived their art. What can a child have to “say” about their world, their experiences, their desires? Not much, yet. Child artists like Marla are fabulous for PR and marketing schemes, but will the value of a $300,000 work of art by a four year old last? Is it only as valuable as any of the other “ploys” in painting such as painting with wine, applying crystals and diamonds to art to make the surface “sparkle,” or even those “paintings of light” by a certain mass-marketing-genius?  Everyone has to have a place from which to start, and Marla certainly has a giant leap ahead of most!

Thank you to distinguished guest Chip Ward,  author of Canaries on the Rim: Living Downwind in the West, for speaking about H.E.A.L. and their efforts to change environmental policy here in Utah. H.E.AL. was able to raise nearly $1000 in just a few hours, as our 30 guests sipped wine and sampled hors d’oeuvres and enjoyed the artwork at Gallery MAR. Thank you to local activist Jill Sheinberg for bringing our two groups together and helping to organize the event.

To learn more about H.E.A.L. and their efforts, visit their website.

Chip Ward is the author of Canaries on the Rim: Living Downwind in the West, which was selected as Park City’s 2009 summer read.

As a writer, political activist, and one of the original founders of HEAL Utah, Chip will discuss what “living downwind” in the desert really means and why he got involved in the movement to re-engage people in the decisions affecting their health and environment.

You will also have the opportunity to learn about HEAL’s current efforts to transform Utah’s energy policy and protect our state from nuclear and toxic waste, as well as to view the contemporary art at Gallery MAR.

Space is limited, so if you have not done so already, PLEASE RSVP at www.healutah.org/GalleryMarRSVP

Refreshments and light hors d’oeuvres will be served. Donations to support HEAL Utah’s work will be accepted although there is no expectation or obligation to give.

What:  HEAL Utah reception with special guest Chip Ward

Where:  Gallery MAR in Park City, 580 Main Street, Park City, UT

When:  Tuesday, August 25th from 6:30-8:30 p.m.

Please email sophia@healutah.org with questions or call (801) 574-8593