Jewish museum plans to ‘paint the town red’

By Paul Haist

article created on:

When Alice Meyer talks about the Oregon Jewish Museum’s annual gala art auction, it’s hard not to get caught up in her enthusiasm.

Meyer is a veteran OJM board member who helped to create the museum’s premiere annual fund-raising event seven years ago in the back of a small Chinese restaurant. She has been a key part of every auction since then as the event marched up town and into some of Portland’s most elegant venues.

Talking about this year’s gala event set for the Governor Hotel on Sunday, May 4, she focused on the generosity of the artists who contribute their work.

“One of the things I think is so amazing is that you have these artists who are so taken with our small organization they want to give us something. It’s such a gift that they are giving,” she said.

Meyer notes that the auction features only new art, as opposed to pre-owned art. She paused over the suggestion that a pre-owned Picasso might draw some heavy bidding, but she is steadfast in her pride that so many fine artists are so consistently generous on behalf of the museum.

“It’s amazing to me,” she said, adding that not all of the artists who donate work are Jewish.

Most of the fine art available at the event is sold during what has been an exciting and popular oral auction. This year’s oral auction will feature at least 15 donated works of art.

Henk Pender has donated a piece for the seventh consecutive year. Among the other artists, including several repeat donors are Shirley Gittelsohn, Molly Cliff-Hilts, Selene Rabinowitz, Sandra Duryea, Tom Cramer, Carolyn Cole and Catherine Ace and Arne Westerman.

The silent auction this year may have upwards of 150 items available for bidding, according to Meyers. Here too some art is to be found. But there is much more.

For example, this year silent bidders will vie for a 10-day stay at a private vacation home in picturesque San Miguel, Mexico, a top-rate tourist destination. There’s even a housekeeper in the deal.

Or, closer to home but no less wonderful, how about a week-long stay in a four-bedroom, three-bath vacation retreat in beautiful Cannon Beach? That’s up for bid too.

A variety of lectures by local scholars will be available, theater and dance tickets, a paid-in-advance shopping spree, restaurant meals, catered meals, live music, and fine wine packages in addition to a wide array of merchandise, including a classic retro woman’s bicycle, the Electra Red Betty donated by Lakeside Bicycles in Lake Oswego.

Red is the theme of this year’s OJM gala. Event planners created promotional materials asking everyone to come May 4 and “paint the town red.”

A sumptuous dinner will be served. All gala goers will be offered a complimentary glass of wine.

Television news personality Cathy Marshall will be the mistress of ceremonies this year. This will be the first tim the museum has called on an outside professional to lead the event.

Meyer said Marshall, who has 22 years experience in journalism including tenures in Boston, Atlanta, Seattle, on CNN and Portland’s KATU, is an enthusiastic supporter of non-profits, “especially those that have to do with the arts.”

Chris Sheik returns for an encore performance as auctioneer for the third year.

Meyer said the auction will be much more informal this year with Sheik coming down into the audience.

Invitations will go in the mail in the next few days. Persons who may not be on the mailing list yet but who want to attend can order tickets by calling the museum at 503-226-3600.

Tickets are priced $80 general admission and $125 for patron tickets.