At Regen Projects in West Hollywood last night (Feb. 25), CalArts embarked on the first phase of its Art Benefit and Auction 2014—a fundraising effort in which more than 80 renowned faculty members and alumni have donated works to benefit the Institute. Proceeds from all art sales will help fund the John Baldessari Studio Building on campus as well as endowed scholarships in the School of Art.
The Regen Projects preview exhibition, which runs through March 8, features art from 36 California-based, CalArts/Chouinard artists, including the new studio’s namesake, John Baldessari, Judy Chicago, Sam Durant, Liz Glynn, Mike Kelley, Catherine Opie, Ed Ruscha and Allan Ruppersberg, among others.
Jill G. Kraus, CalArts Trustee, thanked the artists and guests for attending the benefit on behalf of her fellow event co-chairs, who included director Sofia Coppola (Art 94); Marian Goodman of Marian Goodman Gallery; artists and alumni Tony Oursler (CalArts 79) and Ed Ruscha (Chouinard 60); Janet Sternburg and Steven D. Lavine, CalArts president; and School of Art Dean Thomas Lawson, who holds the Jill and Peter Kraus Distinguished Chair.
Also providing context for the event during their remarks were Lavine and Baldessari, the latter of whom joked about making his remarks as long as his infamously long Post-Studio classes.
The art on view in Los Angeles will travel to shows running concurrently from April 5-19 in New York at Paula Cooper and Metro Pictures galleries, with additional works from artists from outside California.
Approximately 48 of the donated works are available for purchase online exclusively on Artsy (artsy.net) now through April 19.
The fundraising campaign culminates on May 14 at Christie’s New York with the live auction of 35 pieces during the Post-War and Contemporary Art Day Sale.
For more information on the artists participating the effort and available works, please visit CalArts Benefit and Auction 2014.