The Carle's Very Virtual Benefit & Auction
The Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art announced The Very Virtual Benefit & Auction will take place on Thursday, September 24, 2020 from 7:00 – 7:45 pm EDT. The virtual event is being held in lieu of the Museum’s annual Carle Honors Benefit Gala, which has been postponed to September 2021. Proceeds from The Very Virtual Benefit & Auction will support the Museum and its art and literacy programs, including their online and in-person picture book art exhibitions, art projects, and educational resources for children, families, and educators around the world.
The evening will feature celebrities and guest artists and authors in the world of picture books, as well as a behind-the-scenes look at exciting exhibitions coming up at The Carle. The broadcast will have a special virtual message by Julie Andrews and Emma Walton Hamilton, who together have written more than 30 best-selling books for children. Other inspiring segments will include Tami Charles reading her powerful forthcoming book All Because You Matter, illustrated by Bryan Collier, an exhibition video from Sandra Boynton and Yo-Yo Ma, and appearances by Andrea Davis Pinkney, Melissa Sweet, and David Wiesner, among other leaders in the field.
A special auction representing the kind of exceptional art on view at The Carle will open for silent bidding before the event. Two pieces of art will be auctioned live with an auctioneer during the broadcast. The Very Virtual Benefit will end at 7:45 pm EDT and the silent auction will close at 8:15 pm sharp.
Art Auction
The nineteen confirmed auction artists are: Sophie Blackall, Sandra Boynton, Eric Carle, Bryan Collier, Diane Dillon, Tony DiTerlizzi, Vashti Harrison, Oliver Jeffers, Grace Lin, LeUyen Pham, Jerry Pinkney, Christian Robinson, Maurice Sendak, Don Tate, Raúl The Third, Evan Turk, Rosemary Wells, and Mo Willems, plus a bronze sculpture of “The Very Hungry Caterpillar” by revered sculptor Nancy Schön. The art auction will open for bidding on Friday, September 18. The two items for the live auction will be available for preview at that time.
“The Very Virtual Benefit & Auction offers a unique opportunity to open a Museum event to hundreds of friends and partners around the world who couldn’t normally join us in New York for The Carle Honors.” said Rebecca Miller Goggins, The Carle’s director of development. “We know that our online resources have been incredibly meaningful to our audience during the pandemic, and this event is an exciting way for us to continue to share our mission, our work, and our Museum community with everyone who believes in the power of picture books. Even though we can’t be together physically, we can get together virtually and support The Carle.”
Registration
Interested participants worldwide can register now to join the event here. Registration is free, and options to support the Museum through donations or memberships are available at signup.
Sponsorship
All donations and sponsorships are fully tax deductible and directly support the Museum’s mission to inspire a love of art and reading through picture books. Patron opportunities with benefits like listings, logos, and autographed prints begin at $150 for individuals and go up to $5,000 for corporate or group sponsorships.
Learn more or contact Rebecca Miller Goggins, director of development by email or by calling 413-559-6308.