Feb 11, 2007

Glass-hearted art lovers support annual auction

By Janet Duca Norton / Society Columnist

The sixth annual Great Glass Auction, the Bay Area Glass Institute's major benefit, had spectacular glass art, acclaimed artists and famous auctioneer Kip Toner. More than 150 collectors, guests and artists gathered for the Jan. 27 gala at San Jose's Fourth Street Summit Ballroom.

The event raised at least $175,000 - about one-quarter of the operating budget for the San Jose-based BAGI, the only public access glass-working facility in Santa Clara County. BAGI offers classes, studio access, visiting artist master classes and special events.

Steven Aldrich, chairman of the board and interim executive director, and his wife Allison reprised their roles as event co-chairs for the third year.

To the evening's guests, Steven said, "I am thrilled you are here to feel the excitement, to be an active member of the arts community, and everyone at BAGI appreciates that you are here helping to keep glass art thriving in the Bay Area."

Their innovative efforts produced a fun, financially successful event, which included the initiation of two new awards and guest participation activities. For the second year, the Saxe Fellowship for outstanding craftsmanship and achievement was awarded in a juried competition.

Jury members - renowned collector Dorothy Saxe, New York City Chappell Gallery owner Alice Chappell and de Young Museum American Art curator Timothy Burgard - selected Randy Walker's blown glass work, "Tangerine," for the Saxe Fellowship that included a $2,000 award and an invitation to participate in the Visiting Artist series. Awards also went to Mary White for her piece, "The Journey: Reconstruction and Amends," and Pamina Taylor for her "Rolling Decantor & Glasses."

The People's Choice Award gave guests the opportunity to vote for their favorite piece by a local artist. Jack Storms' handsome cold-worked lead crystal piece, "Bela Vino," was the winner. And just like the Oscars, no one knew the winners until they were announced at the beginning of the live auction.

Guests also purchased raffle tickets to fund a visiting artist series. Marge Crosby purchased the lucky ticket, which entitled her to select a piece from the live auction, and she chose Storm's "Bela Vino."

Enthusiastic collectors included competition judge Dorothy and her husband George Saxe, Judy and Jerry Rose, Barbara and Warren Poole, and Rachel and Don Levy.

Ted Lagreid, board member of the Art Alliance for Contemporary Glass, purchased the Saxe Award winning piece "Tangerine." The hottest item up for bid that night was Duncan McClellan's "Alchemist's Dream" piece, which sold for $8,250 - 40 percent higher than the estimated value.

Part of the fun was having the opportunity to meet and talk with the artists. Acclaimed East Coast master glass sculptor Henry Richardson, who is known for large, dramatic outdoor pieces, attended for the first time as a guest of Dr. Martin and Edis Robinson.

Among the other attendees was last year's Saxe Award winner Jaime Guerrero, and contributing artists Linda Goldstein, Shirley Roberts, Carol Lawton, Randy Strong, Toland Sand and Mitch LaPlante.

Artists Treg Silkwood and Candace Martin not only exhibited their "Auger Shells" piece for the live auction, they also created hand-blown glass auger seashells and blown glass sea urchin gifts for all of the patrons.