The Tucson Museum of Art will be putting on its annual CRUSH Gala on Saturday. The event’s main feature is a live auction for local art, with live music from the George Howard Band, fabulous wines and food from local restaurants.
The event is a fundraiser for the many features of the Tucson Museum of Art.
“Our fundraiser raises money for everything we do here,” said Alba Rojas-Sukkar, director of development at the museum. “It raises money for all the different things we do, like bring in spectacular exhibitions, like our new exhibition, ‘The Figure Examined: Master Works by the Kasser Mochary Art Foundation.’”
The event not only supports thought-provoking exhibitions for artists around the country but also events for the Tucson community at large.
“The money goes to support all the good things we do,” said Katie Terry, grants manager and development associate at the museum. “It supports our educational program as well as our free days, when the community can come and participate in art for a free or reduced charge.”
Terry added that the event isn’t “just a glamorous party”; it benefits Tucson by supporting the museum’s curators and educational center, who “all do really good work to try to bring art into the Tucson community.”
“The event features a one-of-a-kind live auction,” Rojas-Sukkar said. “Our live auction items cannot be found anywhere else.”
The auction will be conducted by Bohnams International Auctioneers and Appraisals and will be an exciting event at the center of the gala.
“It’s a whole new echelon of live auction,” Rojas-Sukkar said.
The gala pays a heavy tribute to local Tucson artists. Merlin Cohen, Barbara Rogers, David Adix, Carrie Seid and Fred Hambly are just a few of the local artists featured at the event, Terry said. With over 20 art pieces up for auction, mostly from local artists, the gala contributes to the thriving art scene in Tucson and lets art collectors get to know unique styles that complement the city and its people.
With good art must come good wine, and the CRUSH Gala has no shortage of this. Art connoisseurs can enjoy rare wines from around the world paired with a gourmet dinner. Afterwards, guests can enjoy live music and dancing from the George Howard Band.
The museum is also holding a separate party to further celebrate Tucson’s food, wine and art. The more informal event will feature over 150 wines and beers from around the world, an additional silent auction for guests and food from over 30 local restaurants.
“Everybody from the [Hotel Congress] Cup Café to [Firebirds Wood Fired Grill], North [Italia] and Frost [Gelato],” Terry said. “There is something for everybody.”
The gala will be on Saturday from 5-11 p.m. and will be held at the Westin La Paloma Resort and Spa. Tickets can be purchased at $225 each.
The party will be held on April 10 from 6-9 p.m. at the Tucson Museum of Art. Tickets can be purchased at $75 regular admission or $150 VIP and are tax deductible.
To purchase tickets, visit www.tucsonmuseumofart.org. Over 360 guests attended the gala last year, and over 1000 attended the party. Those at the Tucson Museum of Art expect similar numbers this year as well.
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