Art is great on its own merits—and on your very own wall. But how about engaging with the artists, supporting both their work and a leading, cutting-edge gallery space in the city? And how about a party while you’re doing it?
Enter Lot 49, a signature event for The Luminary, the Cherokee Street gallery/venue/incubator that plays a crucial role in the city’s contemporary art scene.
The event, this Friday from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m., is an intriguing take on the notion of an art auction. It’s a fundraiser for the space as well as a way to directly support the artists. The space and artists split the take from the auction of the works—51 percent to the artist, 49 percent to the Luminary.
Now in its third year, the event is expanding, with a wider breadth of artists represented and more fun to be had for attendees, whether buying or just enjoying the scene. The direction of the event is shaped by the participating artists, who are selected by the Luminary and nominated by their peers.
This year, bid on an intriguing collection including works from Kahlil Irving, Sage Dawson, Brandon Anschultz, Eugenia Alexander, Basil Kincaid, De Nichols, Rachel Youn, Katherine Simone Reynolds, Damon Davis, and Julianne Wise—local folks on their way up. Preview the works here and pre-bid or just ogle your next artistic love affair. The incredibly impressive slate speaks to the city’s growing supply of—and demand for—great artists working here and interpreting their lives here.
“When we started out, it was interesting how people spoke about the absence of a market for emerging contemporary and experimental artists in the city,” says James McAnally, who founded the Luminary with his wife Brea in 2007.
“The audience and St. Louis is changing in certain ways,” he says. “There are more and more people interested and who are approaching us waning to find out more about artists working in the city.”
Each year, the space works with about 50 artists, which may sound like a lot, McAnally says.
“As we get into it, very quickly we find we could invite three times as many artists who are working actively and making interesting work It’s an opportunity for us to see a lot of new work—it really does map out the scene.”
Lot 49 is an auction, but it’s a party too. Bidding is interactive, and admission gets you food, beer and wine, and facetime with the artists. DJ MAKossa provides the tunes and the artist-designed “Critical Theory” cocktails keep things loosened up. As bidding winds down, keep an eye out for a dance performance.
“It’s not just art on the walls,” McAnally says.
Lot 49. Friday, March 23. 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. The Luminary, 2701 Cherokee Street. Ticket are $50 for VIP cocktail reception and auction preview at 7 p.m. or $10 for general event entry at 8 p.m.
