Bidding Strong

THE PARTY A crowd of 600 artists and collectors from all over the globe came out to Transformer Gallery’s ninth annual fundraiser. The works by national and international artists sold during the silent auction raised $54,000 alone. Between art sales, host committee donations and sponsorships, a grand total of $225,000 was collected for the organization, which supports local and emerging artists. THE PEOPLE The Spanish are coming! Ambassador of Spain His Excellency Ramon Gil-Casares was the event’s diplomatic chair in honor of the SPAIN RED artist network, which will partner with Transformer this year. A guest of Heather Podesta’s, performance artist Marina Abramović celebrated her birthday among the gathered. Not the only art star at the party, Leo Villareal came on the arm of Connersmith galleristas Leigh Conner and Jamie Smith. BEST IN SHOW Opening bids started as low as $50 to encourage new, young art patrons to buy, while hip DJs Yellow Fever and Harry Hotter dropped the beats. Photography by Alfredo Flores