Whodunit? OCAD Mystery Art Sale November 20, 2007

OCAD's 6th annual mystery art sale!

Maybe you’re looking to begin an art collection but don’t know where to start. Or maybe you want to augment your existing collection with an artist whose work can be hard to obtain. Whatever your situation, you’re guaranteed to find beautiful, affordable art at the 6th annual Ontario College of Art & Design (OCAD) Whodunit? Mystery Art Sale, presented by BMO Financial Group, taking place Nov. 20 to 24.

A Toronto tradition, Whodunit? has been called “one of the city’s most ingenious visual art fundraisers” by Globe and Mail art critic Sarah Milroy. Whodunit? offers hundreds of original works donated by Canadian artists, creative celebrities, OCAD faculty, alumni and students.

Every piece measures 5½” x 7½” and each piece is $75. The mystery—who created the art—is solved only after the piece is bought and turned over to reveal the artist’s name on the back. You never know, you may find yourself owning a work by Will Alsop, Barbara Astman or Margaret Atwood. Other contributors this year include Sandra Altwerger, Kai Chan, Andy Fabo, David Kaye, Barbara Klunder, Burton Kramer, Jesus Mora, Charles Pachter, Reinhard Reitzenstein, Rachel Taggart, Gary Taxali and Tony Urquhart to name only a few.

Art enthusiasts are invited to preview work starting Tues., Nov. 20 until Fri., Nov. 23 from noon to 8 pm (Wednesday until 6 pm), prior to the Sat., Nov. 24 sale (9 am to 4 pm). Work is sold on a first-come-first-served basis. It is highly recommended that visitors preview the work through the week, make a wish list and arrive early to Saturday’s sale.

A special Gala Preview, supported by Aeroplan, and emceed by Jian Ghomeshi, host of Q on CBC Radio One, takes place Wed., Nov. 21, from 6:30 to 10 pm. The evening includes a silent auction of a special collection of mystery art, live entertainment, hors d’oeuvres and drinks in the Exquisite Cocktail Lounge. The highlight of the evening is a live auction of large-scale artworks by an exclusive group of artists that includes Shelley Adler, Paul Beliveau, David Blackwood, Ed Burtynsky, Cathy Daley, Peter Hoffer, James Lahey, Nathile Miranda, Jacques Payette, Charles Pachter, John Scott and a special mystery artist. Guests will also have the opportunity to preview all works available in the Whodunit? Public Art Sale at leisure. Gala Preview tickets can be purchased online at www.whodunit.ca.

Whodunit? OCAD Mystery Art Sale Schedule:

Public Preview Days:
Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, November 20, 22, 23 2007, 12 noon to 8 pm; Wednesday, November 21, 12 noon to 6 pm

Gala Preview:
Wednesday, November 21, 6:30 to 10 pm
Includes a silent auction of a special collection of mystery art, and a live auction of larger works by very well-known artists.
Guests enjoy cocktails, and hors’ d’oeuvres and a special chance to view hundreds of pieces of original art.
Tickets $150 (available online at www.whodunit.ca).

Public Art Sale:
Saturday, November 24, 9 am to 5 pm

Official Website: http://www.whodunit.ca