Bolinas Museum’s 27th Annual Benefit Art Auction, one of coastal Marin’s most energized and delightful social events, takes place Saturday, Sept. 7, at the Peace Barn in Bolinas. The event, which benefits both artists and the museum, starts with a late-afternoon cocktail party in a beautiful setting looking out on the Bolinas Lagoon and Ridge. A dinner buffet and dancing under the stars follows the lively auction. This year there are many changes and surprises, though the art is still exceptional. Among the 36 Bay Area contributors are local masters such as Tom Killion, Sirima Sataman, Marty Knapp, Clair Rojas, Barry McGee and Ido Yoshimoto. There is also a viewer by Joel Coen featured in his recent museum exhibition, a table of exquisite craftsmanship by Tripp Carpenter and a hand-painted surfboard by Walter Tom Blair. There are also notable prints by Christo & Jean Claude and photographs by one of the world’s leading portrait artists, Annie Leibovitz, including a quartet of cultural icons taken in the 1970s that features Joan Baez, Jerry Garcia, Ken Kesey, and Grace Slick and Paul Kantner.
Changes are afoot for the fast-paced auction in the barn. Auctioneer Mark Buell began his career with the Bolinas Museum in 2000 and has been our beloved auctioneer every year since. With best wishes and deepest gratitude, he retired this year, but the excitement will continue thanks to new talent: Bolinas resident DJ O’Neil and master benefit auctioneer Chad Carvey. For the silent auction, there are fine wines, memorable life experiences, fine dining for you and your friends, custom goods and more. All the offerings of art and special offers are on view until the museum closes at 1 p.m. on auction day. Tickets to this grand event are on sale at bolinasmuseum.org or by calling the museum during museum hours at (415) 868.2006 or the reservation line at (415) 868.8809.
Elia Haworth is the curator of coastal Marin art and history for the Bolinas Museum.