Whodunit? OCAD Mystery Art Sale November 21, 2006

So you think you know your artists? Test your powers to recognize work by famous and not-so-famous artists at this city’s most mysterious art sale! From November 21 to 25, 2006, the Ontario College of Art & Design (OCAD) holds its 5th annual Whodunit? OCAD Mystery Art Sale, presented by BMO Financial Group.

Globe and Mail art critic Sarah Milroy calls Whodunit? “one of the city’s most ingenious visual art fundraisers”. Gaining in popularity year after year, the Whodunit? OCAD Mystery Art Sale offers hundreds of original works donated by Canadian artists, creative celebrities, OCAD faculty, alumni and students. Contributors this year include Sandra Altwerger, Barbara Astman, Margaret Atwood, David Blackwood, Ian Carr-Harris, Cathy Daley, Andy Fabo, Tom Forrestall, Catherine Heard, Natalka Husar, Christopher Hutsul, Burton Kramer, Kristine Moran, Christopher Pratt, Mary Pratt, Nicholas and Sheila Pye, Ron Shuebrook, Floria Sigismondi, Dionne Simpson, Emmy Skensved, Tony Urquhart, to name only a few.

Every piece measures 5 1/2” x 7 1/2” 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.

Art enthusiasts are invited to preview work starting Tuesday, November 21 until Friday, November 24 from noon to 8 pm (Wednesday until 6 pm), prior to the Saturday, November 25 sale (9 am to 5 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 Preview Evening held Wednesday, November 22, from 6:30 to 10 pm, includes a silent auction of a special collection of mystery art, live entertainment, hors d’oeuvres and martini cocktails in the BOMBAY SAPPHIRE™ Blue Lounge. The highlight of the evening is a live auction of large-scale artworks by an exclusive group of artists that includes Ed Burtynsky, Cathy Daley, Peter Hoffer, James Lahey, Charles Pachter, Tony Scherman, John Scott, Rachel Taggart and Natalie Waldburger. Guests will also have the opportunity to preview all works available in the sale at leisure. Tickets can be purchased online at www.ocad.ca.

Dates at a glance:
Public Preview Days:
Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday, November 21, 22, 24, 2006, 12 noon to 8 pm
Thursday, November 23, 12 noon to 6 pm

Preview Evening:
Includes a silent auction of a special collection of mystery art, and a live auction of a special collection of larger works by Ed Burtynsky, Cathy Daley, Peter Hoffer, James Lahey, Charles Pachter, Tony Scherman, John Scott, Rachel Taggart and Natalie Waldburger. Guests can experience martini cocktails in the Bombay Sapphire Blue Lounge and view hundreds of pieces of original art.
Wednesday, November 22, 6:30 to 10 pm
Tickets $150

Public Art Sale:
Saturday, November 25, 9 am to 5 pm

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