Wits Art Museum gets well endowed
JOBURG - Wits Art Museum (WAM) hosted its annual WAM Endowment Auction to raise funds for the museum, its surroundings and to continue to give back to the community through the arts.
Since the opening of the museum in 2009, the museum has seen more than 60 000 people through its doors, 4 000 of which have been pupils from underprivileged schools, and has exhibited more than 40 works.
The museum is open weekly, from Wednesday to Sunday, and entrance is always free so it is important to raise funds through other means.
The WAM Endowment Auction saw a number of arts lovers attend the event which was packed to capacity.
Angela Chapman, who organised the auction for the second year in a row, opened the evening by explaining all the good that the auction does for the museum and the community.
“The Wits Art Museum has contributed greatly to the regeneration of Braamfontein and the auction not only brings in money for it, but also allows students and children from all backgrounds to be inspired by the arts through the various workshops that we run,” she said.
Having received a R10 million anonymous donation last year, the Endowment Auction will allow for the start-up of a number of new drawing workshops for families and children.
The pieces for the auction were donated by artists and collectors of fines works of art, from local and international artists.
The first piece of art, Siestog by Penny Siopis, was made up of two pieces and went for R110 000 to kick off the night with a bang.
There were only 47 lots up for grabs and so the bidding was fast and fierce.
With all the funding and donations they’ve received since 2009, WAM will not need funding for a long time, and will still be able to contribute towards special projects in the community.
