The 34th Annual Noble Art Auction is set for Saturday, November 12 as an in-person and virtual fundraiser to benefit the Noble Maritime Collection
The Noble Maritime Collection will present the 34th Annual John A. Noble Art Auction as an in-person and virtual event on Saturday, November 12 at the museum and via LiveAuctioneers.
Each year since 1988, local artists and collectors have donated fine art to be auctioned as a fundraiser for the Noble Maritime Collection. This year’s lots include rare lithographs by the museum’s namesake, John A. Noble (1913-1983), several paintings, work by noted local contemporary artists, and a print by Marc Chagall (1887-1985).
All of the proceeds benefit the museum and yield up to 20% of its annual budget, making possible exhibitions and free and low-cost public programs including arts education for children of all ages and abilities.
“Many non-profit fundraisers include some type of auction, but with ours it’s the main event—and it’s a really fun experience, as evidenced by the event’s longevity,” said Ciro Galeno, Jr., the museum’s Executive Director since 2018. “The movement of fine art is fast paced and exhilarating, with competitive and entertaining bidding—and what’s best is that it’s all for charity.”
Mr. Galeno continued, “We are so grateful to our sponsors, donors, and artists for making this all possible for the past 34 years, and a lot of good has been done—and will continue to be done—for the community thanks to their tremendous generosity.”
Scott Van Campen, Executive Director of MakerSpace NYC, returns for his fourth year as auctioneer.
The in-person event begins at 6:30 PM with an open bar and a light supper. Catering by Framboise, led by Chef Frank Puleo, will once again cater the event with Northern Italian cuisine inspired by the museum’s new exhibition Andrea Doria: Rescue at Sea.
The auction begins at 8 PM and will be simultaneously streamed on LiveAuctioneers for virtual bidding.
Major underwriting for the event has been generously provided by Caddell Dry Dock and Repair Company and New York Community Bank, as well as other business and community support that can be viewed at noblemaritime.org/auction.
Tickets are $125 each, or $90 for museum members. Reservations are required by November 7. Those who wish to participate on LiveAuctioneers can make a free account to register for the Noble auction. LiveAuctioneers registrations will be accepted through the day of the event on November 12.
To purchase tickets, view the art, and learn about live online bidding via LiveAuctioneers visit noblemaritime.org/auction.
The auction art, currently on view in the museum’s library, features 45 lots, including antique and contemporary paintings, prints, photographs, jewelry, and unique objects.
Pied et Paquebot, Noble’s iconic and sought-after lithograph of the Statue of Liberty from 1974 is the title piece. There are also two other lithographs by Noble—Shifting Topsails, created in 1950, which has never before been offered in the museum’s auction and Topsail Sheet Hook, Number 2 from 1981.
There are also rare prints by Chagall, Harry Fenn (1837-1911), Richard Aberle Florsheim (1916-1979), Jay Moon (active 1970s), Noble’s father John “Wichita Bill” Noble (1874-1934), Anton Seder (1850-1916), Joop Vegter (1931-2017), and Herman Zaage (1927-2008).
Contemporary printmakers represented in the auction include Staten Islanders Diane Matyas, Bill Murphy, and Francesca D’Atria Romano, as well as William Behnken, Colleen Pike Blair, Diego Briceno, Miriam Quen Cheikin, Patricia Langer, DeAnn L. Prosia, and Ellen Nathan Singer. The selection includes lithographs, engravings, etchings, mezzotints, monoprints, and woodcuts.
There are seven paintings offered in various mediums by artists Eric Kahn, Duncan Fraser McLea (1841-1916), Steve Negrón, Dennis Joseph Yanoski, and Staten Islanders Kathy Krantz Fieramosca, Paul Landgraf, and Halina McCormack.
A painting of cherry blossoms by Noble’s friend and famed restaurateur Jack Demyan (1923-1999), as well as a giclée of a painting donated by local artist Sarah Yuster and two 19th-century European seascape paintings by unknown fine artists are additionally available.
The auction includes photographs by local artists Bill Higgins, Eric Holmes (1960-2014), Bo Kass (1938-2020), and Michael McWeeney.
A unique, hand-carved piece of folk art by noted whittler Jehu Camper (1897-1989) is on offer, along with the book Americana Crafted: Jehu Camper, Delaware Whittler by Robert D. Bethke.
Mixed media pieces by Denise Mumm and prolific Staten Island artist Norman Pate (1923-2004) will also be auctioned, as well as a sterling silver necklace with turquoise beads by Valerie Quinlan (1937-2021).
Local artist and auction committee member Elle Finn donated a pen and ink drawing of lily pads as well as a hand-embellished print of an original painting of a Snug Harbor cottage by her husband Sal Rinaudo. Two limited edition prints, one of a painting and the other of a drawing, by museum trustee John Stobart round out this year’s selection.
Winning bidders through LiveAuctioneers can pick up their purchases at the museum beginning on Tuesday, November 15.
Shipping is available through the museum’s partner, Postal Connections. Interested bidders can get a quote before bidding and arrange for shipping by contacting them at (718) 980-2000 or postalconnections210@yahoo.com.
The Noble Maritime Collection, located in a former mariners’ dormitory at Snug Harbor Cultural Center and Botanical Garden, 1000 Richmond Terrace, Staten Island, New York, is open to the public from 12 until 5 PM, Thursdays through Sundays, during which time the auction preview exhibition can be viewed.
To learn more about this unique maritime museum, or for more information about the auction, call (718) 447-6490 or visit noblemaritime.org.
