June 10, 2017, Hollywood
Luminaries from the art world, collectors and celebrities came together at the Neuehouse in Hollywood for Angel Art, the prestigious art auction which benefits Project Angel Food. Angel Art, now in its twenty-first year as a premier charity art auction, raised more than $425,000 for the non-profit, which is dedicated to providing healthy meals to people living with life threatening illness.
On hand for the competitive bidding were Saturday Night Live’s Molly Shannon and her husband, artist Fritz Chesnut, who had donated a work which was purchased by KTLA-TV Vice President of News, Jason Ball, and his husband, Ernst & Young Executive Troy Jones. Other guests included: Actress Mischa Barton and her main squeeze James Abercrombie, philanthropist Sydney Holland and Manuela Herzer. Harvey Reese and partner, Jonathan Murray, founder of Bunim/Murray Productions, purchased a David Hockney, in a fierce frenzy, outbidding Project Angel Food Board Member, Tim Robinson and his husband, Bob Cohen, Executive Vice President, 20th Century Fox, who determined to not be outbid again, secured the second Hockney. The stunning artworks from “The Yosemite Suite” series 2010 were drawn on an iPad by the 79-year-old artist, who has been a generous supporter for Project Angel Food since the beginning.
Richard Ayoub, Executive Director of Project Angel Food, said, “We are humbled and gratified by the outstanding response from the artists, collectors and galleries. And, we are grateful for the outpouring of love. This is especially meaningful as this year’s theme is ‘LOVE = ART.’”
Former Board Member, Janet McCormack, wife of actor Eric McCormack, purchased two art pieces, a Hadley Holliday and a Keith Mayerson. Artist Alexandra Grant, who also attended, donated her signature grantLOVE neon work. In fierce bidding orchestrated by charismatic auctioneer Gabriel Butu, the original art piece valued at $15,000 reached $20,000 with three separate bidders. Alexandra offered to create two addition unique works. An anonymous Hollywood collector on the phone with Paddle8 purchased a Kenny Scharf. Also enjoying the excitement were Executive Vice President for Entertainment Banking Martha Henderson, from Presenting Sponsor, City National Bank, art appraiser and Chair of the Angel Art Benefit Committee Michael Maloney, Light Box gallery owner Kimberly Light, Project Angel Food Ambassador John Gile and his partner Interior Design Jeff Valenson. West Coast Director, Benefit Auctions, Paddle 8’s Kate Duggan McGlasson said, “It was an incredible privilege to witness such great generosity in our city, and in the art world both in the room and online with the Paddle8 community.”
Project Angel Food has served the community tirelessly for twenty-eight years, providing more than 10.5 million meals to men and women living with critical illness. The kitchen, staff and volunteers prepare over 11,000 meals a week, free of charge and medically tailored to the requirements of people living with HIV/AIDS, cancer, kidney failure, congestive heart disease and diabetes, The mission is one of love, to feed and nourish the sick as they fight their battle. Many of the clients are living well below the poverty line, and Project Angel Food is the lifeline filling a desperate need in all communities. The client base is testimony to this fact, 40% Latino, 30% African-American, 21% Caucasian, 5% Asian and 4% other.
