The Baum School of Art’s 34th annual Art Auction is on Saturday, May 18, at the school in Allentown.
The event has become known as the place to buy quality artwork in the Lehigh Valley – both from the era of Walter Emerson Baum, and contemporary local and regional artists.
The auction has artwork with prices to attract the bargain hunter as well as the serious collector. It also features artwork of many different artistic styles, including traditional, contemporary and abstract works.
This year, the auction features a large landscape by the school’s founder, Walter Emerson Baum, several earlier works by Renzo Faggioli, and a mosaic by Raymond Gallucci.
In addition, there are paintings by Wilmer Behler, John Berninger, Margaret Balzer Cantieni, Mildred Gehman, Albert B. Serwazi, Joseph Meierhans, Hans Moller, William Persa, William Weldon Swallow, Ann Whitesell and other artists from Baum’s era.
Contemporary works include those by Nancy Bossert, Adriano Farinella, Renzo Faggioli, Michael Kessler, Dana Van Horn, Mark May and Lauren Kindle to name a few.
The event starts at 5:30 p.m. with the silent auction, featuring over 200 pieces of art up for bid in the David E. Rodale and Rodale Family Galleries.
During this time, attendees may enjoy a buffet dinner from Catering by Karen Hunter in the Fowler Community Room. Tickets are available for $50 in advance or $60 at the door. Auctioneer Boris Wainio begins the live auction at 8 p.m., featuring over 100 pieces of art up for bid.
Proceeds are used to further The Baum School of Art’s mission of enriching lives through arts education. Top-level sponsors for the event include: J.B. and Kathleen Reilly/City Center Allentown, Janet and Malcolm Gross, Bob and Sandy Lovett, Dr. Christine Oaklander, and The Zelenkofske Family.
The public is invited to attend Preview Night from 6 to 8 p.m. on Third Thursday, May 16, for a chance to view all of the artwork before it goes up for bid on Saturday. This year’s Preview Night event will feature a tasting by Kilimanjaro Distillery, producer of Xplorer Spirits. The auctioneer and Baum School staff will be available to answer questions. Auction items will be posted online at
baumschool.org.
