The Ontario College of Art & Design kicked off its eighth annual mystery art sale Wednesday with the "Whodunit?" gala preview—an event that drew more than 500 guests and provided a sneak peek at the 1,500 pieces of art available in the Whodunit? public sale, which takes place on Saturday.
"It's an opportunity to buy work without being intimidated and going into a gallery," Katherine Needham, OCAD's manager of fund-raising events, said of the institution's signature fund-raiser.
More than 500 guests attended a gala preview for OCAD's annual Whodunit? mystery art sale. Photo: BizBash
DJ Aural spun tunes for guests. Photo: BizBash
Pulp fiction novels inspired the event's promotional materials, created by Soapbox Design Communications in conjunction with Matt Webb, OCAD's graphic designer. Photo: BizBash
A food station catered by Mangiacake Panini Shoppe included a selection of tapas dishes. Photo: BizBash
Bartenders served a cranberry-starfruit cocktail to guests. Photo: BizBash
More than 1,500 pieces of art lined shelves erected for the annual sale. Photo: BizBash
Planning for the gala, three days of public previews, and public art sale began months ago when organizers sent out solicitations to alumni and local celebrities, Needham said. "We provide the card stock and a return envelope, and then [the submissions] start coming in and every day is like Christmas," she said.
Every piece of art is the same size (5 1/2 by 7 1/2 inches) and the same price ($75), and all of the artwork is signed on the back. The name of the artist isn't revealed prior to purchase. "It gets people buying by their taste," said Needham, who planned the event with the help of students and in conjunction with the steering and curatorial committees.
All of the art is scanned, logged, and processed prior to the sale. "We're very fortunate here at OCAD that we have a base of students we can hire," Needham said. "It takes months just to get ready for the event."
On Wednesday, guests had the chance to mingle with local artists, to bid on 120 items included in a curated silent auction, and to participate in a live auction featuring work from a group of emerging artists. Mangiacake Panini Shoppe catered the event, hosted by Pooja Handa of CP24. DJ Aurel spun tunes for guests and auctioneer Stephen Ranger conducted the live auction.
Event sponsors included Borden Ladner Gervais, Direct Energy, Colliers International, NextMedia, Barometer, CP24, Newstalk 1010, Now Magazine, Onestop Network, The National Post, Roma, Unisource, and Steam Whistle Brewing.
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