Events
March 26, 2012
The Great Glass Auction 2011  Attendees / Financial Results

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Great Glass Auction 2011 Was Fun and A Success

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Artist Demetra Theofanous with collector and patron Martha Alderson at the BAGI Auction
The auction attracted a full house of guests, including many of the contributing artists whose work was represented. A highlight of the evening was the presentation of the 2011 Saxe Fellowship at BAGI award. The jury's criteria for this award include the piece’s creativity and uniqueness of vision, its strong technical execution, and a meaning that goes beyond a well executed piece.  This year's winner was artist Cassandra Straubing for her work, “The Necessity of Dairyman.”

Straubing currently serves as the head of the Glass Department at San Jose State University and is recognized for advancing the program to its full potential.  The 2011 People's Choice award, selected by auction attendees, was awarded to San Jose, California-based artist Shaun Griffiths for his piece, "Alone Together."  Griffiths also won a Jurors’ Choice Award for “Alone Together” along with Fairfax Station, Virginia-based artist Elizabeth R. Mears, for her flameworked piece “Only.”

This year's Saxe Fellowship award winner was chosen by a jury consisting of Susan Krane, Executive Director, San Jose Museum of Modern Art and world renowned collector Dorothy Saxe of San Francisco, California. As the winner of this award, Cassandra Straubing received a $2,000 cash prize and a funded invitation to participate in BAGI's Visiting Artists Series. The People's Choice award winner, Shaun Griffiths received a $1,000 cash award.    

Long-time BAGI patron and auction supporters, Angela and Jeffrey Glosser of Scottsdale, Arizona, were among the many guests in attendance who noted an increased energy and excitement at this year’s event. “I thoroughly enjoyed the evening and the art was truly exceptional,” Angela remarked. “It was really fantastic to talk with other like-minded collectors and to meet the many artists whose work was up for auction.”

A crucial fundraiser for BAGI, this year's auction raised over $140,000 (30% more over last year) and will provide a quarter of BAGI's operating budget for 2011. Auction proceeds will be used to help fund the Visiting Artists Series planned for 2011, a SJSU scholarship for a student to attend each of BAGI's Visiting Artist Series master classes, new equipment and continuing operations, as well as expanded offerings for classes, studio time, and key local events including the popular Second Sunday Series.

"Thank you to the jury for their work in selecting Cassandra Straubing as the winner of the 2011 Saxe Fellowship at BAGI as well as the Juror's Award's winners, Shaun Griffiths  and Elizabeth R. Mears. And, we thank our auction attendees for recognizing artist Shaun Griffiths by awarding him the People's Choice award," said Steven Aldrich, auction co-chair. “Patron response to the auction this year was phenomenal and we're grateful for the continued support from them and the artists."