Art Omi Upstate Benefit Live Auction

Prepare for an evening of exceptional artistry and philanthropic spirit! Our distinguished auctioneer, Jacqueline Towers-Perkins, will guide you through a carefully curated collection of remarkable artwork and unique experiences that celebrate the vibrant creative community of Art Omi.

1. Private Sail on the Schooner Apollonia down the Hudson River

Starting Bid: $1,000

• Invite up to a dozen friends for a breathtaking sail down the Hudson River aboard the Schooner Apollonia, a 64-foot merchant schooner.
• Indulge in cheese & charcuterie from Talbott & Arding and beverages from Grapefruit Wines during your 90-minute wind-powered cruise on the only working sail freighter in the country.

Generously donated by the Schooner Apollonia. Availability to be determined and coordinated with Captain Sam Merrett of the Apollonia. Must be booked during the 2026 season.

2. Lite Brite Neon Tour

Starting Bid: $500

• Spend an afternoon with the luminary team behind Lite Brite Neon Studio in Kingston, NY. Enjoy a private tour of the studio and get a behind-the-scenes look into how the work happens from start to finish. Experience in-progress pieces and the incredible archive of neon that spans years. 
• The tour ends with lunch from a local favorite, Black Eyed Suzies 
• Choose a relic tube from the Lite Brite Neon Studio archive to take home for your own glowing piece of magic. 

Generously donated by Lite Brite Neon Studio.

3. Beaver Creek Getaway for up to 7

Starting Bid: $4,500

• Enjoy a 7-night getaway for 7 to Beaver Creek, Colorado. Three and a half bedrooms with gorgeous views of Beaver Creek’s Cinch ski run.
• Bask in the opportunity for numerous outdoor activities such as skiing, hiking, mountain biking, or kayaking.

Generously donated by Isabelle Autones & Francis J. Greenburger. No flights included. Only available between June 1st, 2026–December 15th, 2026, or dates mutually agreed upon with the donor.

4. Charming Stay in Historic Montreal Loft

Starting Bid: $3,000

• Spend a week in a three-bedroom, three-bath, magnificently furnished historic loft situated in the heart of Montreal’s Old City overlooking the Rue de la Commune and the Saint Lawrence River.
• Treat yourself and seven guests to all the sights, sounds, and gastronomic excellencies that The City of Saints has to offer.
• Situated in a historic loft building, the apartment was recently renovated in minimalist style and is in mint condition, rivaling in comfort the best hotels in the neighborhood. The apartment is fully stocked with dishes, cookware, luxurious linens, and towels.
• Along the narrow cobblestone streets, there are many excellent restaurants, cafes, and boutiques you’ll enjoy visiting.

Total sleeping capacity of eight: three en suite bedrooms. Fully private loft. Generously donated by Isabelle Autones & Francis J. Greenburger. Stay to occur on dates mutually agreed upon with the donor. Flight not included. 

5. Neon by Erika deVries

Starting Bid: $3,000

Guardians of Grace (basic goodness)
neon mounted to silver leafed birch plywood, ribbons, wiring
2025
edition of 3 + 1 AP

Guardians of Grace (basic goodness) is part of an ongoing series of shield-like ceremonial forms—part ornament, part offering—that explore the paradox and synergistic qualities of vulnerability as strength. Crafted from fragile materials: thin plywood, silver leaf, and hand-shaped neon glass, the work holds light as the body holds experience: tentatively, beautifully, always at risk. At its open-hearted center, a concept from Buddhism & Chögyam Trungpa glows in delicate glass: “basic goodness.” In the spirit of his crazy wisdom, this luminous mantra becomes a kind of shield—not for defense, but to attract openness. In these works, language functions as both bridge and boundary. It names and connects, while pointing beyond itself to meanings that can only be felt. Inspired by milagros—symbols of healing and hope—this work is not a weapon, but an invocation, protection & connection. A meditation on synchronicity, courage, and the strength found in soft places and interconnectedness.

Generously donated by Erika deVries. 

6. The Upstate Experience

Starting Bid: $2,000

• Shop like a local with gift cards to boutiques: Feast & Floret, Finch, Hudson Wine Merchants, Made X Hudson, Rebus, and Shaina Mote.
• Immerse yourself in the charm of a historic small town with a two-night stay at the Amelia Hudson. Set in a former Queen Anne-style private residence, enjoy modern aesthetics and quiet luxury within walking distance of Warren Street.
• Exclusive access to an evening of cocktails on the riverfront at the famed, members-only Hudson Power Boat Association, hosted by Art Omi Trustee and Hudson local Jane Trombley.
• Escape the city for a rural retreat! Rejuvenate and recharge in the elegant simplicity and modern woodsy comfort of a Wally Farms cabin overnight stay. Designed with serenity in mind, you’d hardly know the architecture is carbon negative and eco-friendly. Wonder at amazing stargazing on this luxury farm experience.
• 90-minute pig butchering observation for six donated by The Meat Hook.
• Unwind and relax with two SPA mini kits from award-winning skincare brand, Gallop Hill, handcrafted in Tivoli, New York.

Two-night weekday stay at the Amelia Hudson with complimentary continental breakfast. Valid till September 30, 2026. Excludes holidays and is subject to availability. One night weekday stay at Wally Farms cabin on a date mutually agreed upon with the donor. Flights/trains not included. 

Generously Donated by Gigi Danziger & Albert Wenger, Corina Larkin, Jane Trombley, Feast & Floret, Finch, Gallop Hill, Hudson Wine Merchants, Made X Hudson, The Meat Hook, Rebus, and Shaina Mote.

7. Painting by Nicole Cherubini

Starting Bid: $2,500

Greek Pot
2008
watercolor paper, archival c-print, gouache, watercolor, enamel, acrylic, ink
16 x 20 inches, 40.64 x 50.8 cm

Generously donated by Nicole Cherubini and Kristen Dodge of SEPTEMBER Gallery.

8. Ceramic Sculpture by Dana Sherwood

Starting Bid: $1,500

Pomegranates and Cake
2024
Glazed Stoneware with Gold Lustre
6.5″ x 6″ x 4″

Pomegranates and Cake is a ceramic vase made of glazed stoneware with Gold Lustre edges, featuring figurative hand-painted details.

Generously Donated by Dana Sherwood.