Annual MassArt Signature Benefit Art Auction on Bidsquare Continues to Attract the Most Discerning Collectors

Bidsquare is proud to partner with Massachusetts College of Art and Design (MassArt) for its signature annual benefit art auction. The event features an extraordinary array of artwork that continues to attract the most discerning collectors.

A departure from previous sales, MassArt has moved its entire event online this year. The annual event will comprise of two events, a silent online auction and a live auction. Both events will be conducted through the Bidsquare platform and will allow bidders to bid live in real-time online. Participants may go to bidsquare.com to register for the silent and live auctions, which will offer over 350 contemporary works by both emerging and established artists including internationally renowned visual artist Julian Opie and Foster Prize recipient Lavaughan Jenkins.

Julian Opie. New York Couple 6. from the Series New York Couples, Edition 5 of 55, 2019, Estimate $6,375-8,500

The live auction will be held on Saturday, April 25 at 8 p.m. ET, and will be conducted by auctioneer Karen Keane, CEO of Skinner, and MassArt Trustee. Bidding for the silent auction is live now, and ends Saturday, April 25 at 9:30 p.m. ET. 

Lavaughan Jenkins, Not for Resale, 2019, Estimate $6,000-10,000

The auction, co-chaired this year by Elizabeth Lowrey (Principal, Director of Interior Architecture at Elkus Manfredi Architects and MassArt Honorary Degree Recipient) and John Thompson (artist, alumnus and MassArt Fine Arts 2D Faculty), has raised more than $1 million in each of the last five years. Proceeds from the auction go directly to the artists and to MassArt scholarships and academic programs.

Scene from the 2019 MassArt auction, all bidding this year for the live and timed auctions will be done online on bidsquare.com

This year, support of the 2020 Auction is more important than ever, as MassArt addresses its unique needs of students, faculty, and the greater artistic community who are navigating uncharted territory during these challenging times. 

In addition to the shift to online bidding, other firsts for the 2020 live auction include being the first year a student (MassArt photography student Tavon Taylor) will have a piece in the live auction, as well as the first year a piece of wearable art (a necklace by Rebecca Hannon) will be featured in the live auction. 

Scott Bakal, Earth Day 2019, Pollinators, Estimate $1,500-2,500

"Bidsquare is excited to partner with Massachusetts College of Art and Design and use our platform to give back and support this year's signature art auction,” said Allis Ghim, CEO of Bidsquare. "The auction features a range of media from emerging to established artists, which resonates with our audience and we are excited to help raise funds for MassArt, providing vital scholarship aid and academic program support for deserving students."

"MassArt is pleased to partner with Bidsquare as we go entirely virtual for the first time in 31 years,” said Marjorie O’Malley, VP of Advancement at MassArt. “The MassArt Auction is one of the largest benefit art auctions in the Northeast and has earned a reputation for launching the careers of emerging artists while featuring some of the best known contemporary artists. When you bid in our auction you are supporting artists when they need us the most."
 
Registration is now open for both events on bidsquare.com and the full digital catalog is now viewable online.