Art Papers Art Auction: 19 Years & Counting

One of my favorite art events to attend each year, the 19^th annual Art Papers Art Auction took place at the Philip Shutze-designed Southern Exchange Ballrooms in downtown Atlanta last weekend. The venue was chosen well. It accommodated about a thousand guests without ever feeling too crowded, quite a feat considering everyone needed to be able to move throughout the entire space to get a look at more than 250 artworks.

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With the plethora of art, the Davison Ballroom, which was chosen for the event, required little décor other than colored lighting effects. I love this space for its Italian globe dome lights that provide a funky, yet Art Deco aesthetic. The entrance to the lobby area outside the ballroom is even more fantastic with a brilliant crystal chandelier peeking from the level above.

In addition to an always-fun opportunity to mingle with a diverse, creative bunch of attendees, the event offers such a variety of works in the silent auction that it’s like gallery hopping all in one place. I did find a favorite this year, but alas, I was outbid.

“Lazy Botanical” by Louie W. Crumbley II, an illustrator and artist based in East Point, Georgia, attracted me with its bold colors. Although the value of the piece was set at $550, it went for $700 after 12 bids.

There were plenty of other works displaying audacious pops of color, like Beverly Baker’s “Stargazer” and Benjamin Britton’s little watercolor “Befarmaeed #4.” Even pink claimed the spotlight in “Dancing Spirits II” from Eleanor Neal and Jennifer Bonner’s “Grille Cheese,” as well as several other works.

While colorful works could be found throughout most of the exhibit, one wall was dedicated to black and white pieces, such as Jenene Nagy’s “weight 14” and Julianne Trew’s “Transductions.”

Even with all of this great art, one of the biggest hits of the night for me was the selection of hors d’oeuvres from Chef David Sweeney in the VIP lounge. Raw and vegan, they came off like little bites of heaven. David’s recipes signify everything that is good in today’s farm-to-table, healthy fare.

wm events, art papers, wm events blog, art papers auction, art auction, atlanta, atlanta non-profits, non-profit, community, southern exchange ballrooms, 200 peachtree, downtown atlanta, downtown, louie w crumbley II, benjamin britton, david sweeney, jenene nagy, julianne trew, jennifer bonner, eleanor neal, beverly baker wm events, art papers, wm events blog, art papers auction, art auction, atlanta, atlanta non-profits, non-profit, community, southern exchange ballrooms, 200 peachtree, downtown atlanta, downtown, louie w crumbley II, benjamin britton, david sweeney, jenene nagy, julianne trew, jennifer bonner, eleanor neal, beverly baker
Art by: Benjamin Britton Art by: Louie W. Crumbley II

Art Papers Photography: Ben Rose Photography