The annual California Cool Art Auction and Benefit brings together the art community in support of the museum’s mission to enlighten people of all ages through California art.

Thank you!

Laguna Art Museum extends a huge thank you to the hundreds of art lovers, artists and supporters who attended Saturday’s sold-out California Cool Art Auction and helped us surpass our live auction fundraising goal by purchasing all artworks.

Thanks to your support, we raised over $450,000 during the California Cool Art Auction, with $106,300 directly benefitting school tours! Events like this, along with your donations throughout the year, are how Laguna Art Museum continues to enlighten and engage people of all ages. We couldn’t do it without you!

Final Chance to Purchase

You have one final chance to purchase artwork from esteemed artists in support of Laguna Art Museum! Now through Wednesday, March 13, we are offering unsold lots at minimum bid price with no buyers’ premium. Pick-up your new favorite artwork or have it shipped to you by paying online or by calling Development Manager Crystal Tosello at 949.494.8971 ext 215.

Live + Silent Auction

Here’s what to expect:

• “Modern Hollywood Glam” – Don’t be afraid to dress to impress! 
• Doors open at 6:00 pm. Arrive early to scope out your new artwork and enjoy hors d’oeuvres, made-to-order sushi and cocktails.
• Exclusive live and silent auction artworks will be sold with the help of auctioneer Zack Krone starting at 7:30! Find your seat and support the museum through your auction purchases and the California Cool Paddle Raise.
• This is your night. Along with our made-to-order sushi bar, enjoy artist appearances, Raffi and Al’s interactive Art Bar, live vinyl DJ Scotty Wise and more.
• Live auction will conclude the evening of March 2.
• Not all artworks will be available in the online auction, so secure your tickets to the bash for access to the live auction pieces!

Online Auction

Here’s how to make it yours:

1. Register for the auction and begin bidding by visiting https://www.artsy.net/auction/laguna-art-museum-california-cool-benefit-auction-2024 or downloading Artsy’s free smartphone app.

2. Place bids on your favorite lots. Select your bid amount as long as it is greater than or equal to the next minimum bid shown on the bidding screen, then click the “Bid” button.

3. If you’re a winning bidder, you’ll receive an email confirming that you’ve won at the close of the auction, 9:00 am PST on March 4.

Free Preview Nights

February 15, 21, 29
5:00 – 7:00 pm

Want a closer look at the artworks available in our Art Auction? A majority of the available artworks are on display now at the museum for you to view with admission! In addition, we will be open to the public select evenings from 5:00 – 7:00 pm for free previews! Bring your art-loving friends and pick out which pieces you want to buy. Featuring high-profile artworks at affordable starting bids.

Over Four Decades of Auction Fundraising

The California Cool Art Auction is curated in collaboration with Southern California’s most notable artists. The auction brings together more than 125 high-quality artworks vetted for art buyers at all experience levels and of all tastes so that everyone is sure to find an artwork they love.

For over four decades, Laguna Art Museum and the artist community have come together to raise money in support of our historically rich, and future-forward museum. In the process, we have helped many build incredible collections of art.

Purchase your tickets now to this annual sell-out event to ensure you have an exclusive opportunity to meet and mix with the artists and to bid on silent auction and live auction items available only to attendees of the event. To keep the night lively and extra entertaining, we have recruited friend to Laguna Art Museum, and the best in the business, auctioneer Zack Krone.

All museum revenues go towards funding Laguna Art Museum’s recognized arts education programing. So please secure your ticket today to ensure the opportunity to purchase great works of art that will benefit you and the lives of thousands of others.

Your Future

Your purchases during our California Cool Art Auction + Benefit + Bash will support our mission to connect as many people young people as possible to the joy of art through Laguna Art Museum’s educational endeavors in the year ahead. This is your night and we invite you to support your museum by making a lasting impact on your future and countless others who we will serve through the arts. Bid now on your favorite artworks and help us raise over $400,000 to continue supporting the education of future generations!

Raise Your Paddle

OC STUDENT ARTS TOURS END WITHOUT YOUR SUPPORT

The paddle raise will directly support the museum’s Create Access Program, which provides underprivileged K-12 Title 1 students access to educational art programs, fostering creativity and cultural engagement.

In July 2023, the museum was awarded a prestigious grant of $178,288 from the California Cultural and Historical Endowment (CCHE). This funding has enabled the museum to serve over 1,700 Title 1 students since October and will serve another 1,800 Title 1 students before July—far exceeding initial expectations. The grant funds education for a total of 5,000 students, which we expect to surpass during the fall of 2024. Because we are serving so many students, we will use up all of the funding from the CCHE grant in the next year.

Through the Create Access Program, these students have experienced the richness of California art, engaged in curriculum-aligned learning and created unique artworks under the guidance of dedicated volunteer docents and education staff. One teacher shared, “I can’t express how wonderful this was for my kids. Our student population does not get the opportunity to enjoy fine art.”

With funding ending, we need your support in order to continue providing thousands of students from underprivileged communities access to quality arts programming. Raise your paddle today.

Laguna Art Museum thanks this year’s California Cool Art Auction Sponsors.

Barbara and Tad Danz
Katrina Foley
Ken and Jan Kaplan
Wendy Aird
Nolet’s Gin and Kettle One Vodka
Artsy
Lori and Harley Bassman
Elliott Kornhauser and Joe Baker
WGB Insurance
William Gillespie Foundation
Clara Berta