Call it an artsy hoedown blended with old school television game show sass — with Jeopardy sound effects thrown in for good fortune. Luck, after all, is what the grab-and-go throng needed at DiverseWorks' "Luck of the Draw" fundraiser Thursday night.
The yearly event has become a mainstay for art collectors new and seasoned. It works a little like this: Based on ticket level purchased, patrons receive a numbered paddle. Number stubs are drawn out of a raffle drum at random — and that's when the rowdy fun begins. Guests have a New York minute to claim one of 250 pieces, each measuring 7 by 9 inches, donated by quite the assemblage of artists of repute, and get out of the way.
Because you know what happens if anyone finds themselves in between an art collector and his or her prize.
Among the visual collage that awash the minimalist walls of DiverseWorks' newish digs in Midtown were pieces by The Art Guys, Gonzo247, Randy Twaddle, Marc Swanson, Nicola Parente, Libbie Masterson and Lucinda Cobley. In the reception gallery, the avant garde presenter's 30th Anniversary Silent Auction enticed big spenders with larger pieces by Franklin Evans, Tony Feher, Liz Magic Laser and Marina Zurkow, a coterie of artists that share history with DiverseWorks.
Guests have a New York minute to claim one of 250 pieces donated by quite the assemblage of artists of repute and get out of the way.
It wasn't by chance that party chairs Karen and Stephan Farber and Aimee and Daniel Heimbinder sketched a successful evening that saw more than 130 works walk out the door. More art, more guests and lower tariffs offered an equal playing ground for the creative assemblage of 250, which included industry savants Judy Nyquist, CAMH's Bill Arning, The Menil's Toby Kamps, McClain Gallery's Erin Siudzinski, Fresh Arts' Jenni Rebecca Stephenson and Glasstire's Rainey Knudson, who took on the role of the caller alongside executive director Elizabeth Dunbar and a darling 8-year-old.
That would be Joy Parazette, daughter of artists Aaron Parazette and Sharon Engelstein.
Top that with snow cones spiked with Deep Eddy Vodka, which was showing off its new grapefruit infused spirit, varietals from Laetitia Vineyard & Winery and Saint Arnold Brewing Company — thank heavens Barbara McKnight's Catering by Culinaire had a steady flow of shiitake-tofu dumplings, chicken fried steak and sweet potato donuts.
Bidding for art were Victoria and Marshal Lightman, Sheila and Isaac Heimbinder, Marita Fairbanks, Nicole and Joey Romano, Jason Fuller, Kellye Sanford, Justin Segal, Rogelio Rendon, Rachel Cook, Adrienne Johnson Yost, Sixto Wagan, Isabel and Danny David, Emily Todd, Michael Galbreth and Michael Tucker.
Karen Farber, from left, Justin Segal, Rogelio Rendon and Rachel Cook at Diverseworks' Luck of the Draw.
