Saturday, April 18, 2009
6:30 pm – 1:00 am, at the Four Seasons St. Louis

The Contemporary’s 5th Anniversary Season culminates with a major gala celebration at the Four Seasons Hotel honoring St. Louis artists Tom Friedman and Ernest Trova. The evening features fine cuisine and fabulous wine, a live benefit auction of art by major contemporary artists conducted by Aileen Agopian of Phillips de Pury & Company, New York. Proceeds from the event support the exhibitions and education programs at the Contemporary. Gala Tickets start at $500 and tables start at $5,000.

The gala will feature a live auction of works by major contemporary artists Polly Apfelbaum, Tom Friedman, Maya Lin, Jason Middlebrook, Alexander Ross, and Ernest Trova. All of the works are on view at the Contemporary from March 6, 2009 through April 17, 2009. You may also click here to download a pdf preview of the items. Proxy bids can be made by calling 314-535-8903.

Click here to purchase a ticket.

Click here to purchase a table.

To preview auction items, click here.

Special Note
It is with great sadness that we report that Ernest Trova recently passed away, on Sunday, March 8. He was very much looking forward to the event, and had been working closely with us on making the evening special. The Trova family requests that gifts be made in support of the Contemporary’s education program in lieu of flowers. Tribute gifts can be made here. They also agree that it is more important than ever that we celebrate Ernest’s lifetime achievement in the arts and his love for his hometown of St. Louis at the Contemporary’s Gala on April 18th. We hope to see you there.

Make a Tribute Gift here.

Ernest Trova’s obituary by Robert Duffy of Saint Louis Beacon

Ernest Trova’s obituary by Bruce Weber of New York Times

The 5th Anniversary Gala is sponsored by Charter Communications, DHR International, Edward Jones, Lashly & Baer PC, National City, Novus International, Inc., Philip Slein Gallery, RKL Consulting LLC., and with in-kind support provided by Cellar Private Wine Storage, Film Neshui, Four Seasons Hotel St. Louis, Glazer’s Midwest, St. Louis Magazine, Tiffany & Co., and TOKY Branding + Design.