DALLAS, TX.- One collecting trick that seasoned collectors know is that artworks by both veteran artists as well as rising stars often give shape to a charity event or auction. The art world, with all of its talent, presents a bounty for charitable organizations looking for a draw, and the artworks are the draw; informed bidders know to keep an eye out for the charity auction that features the kind of work they’d like to add to a collection (and they know that retail prices may or may not apply). Of course the bonus is that the charity benefits a cause — one a collector can get behind.

On November 19, through a collaboration with Art for Good, Heritage presents an Urban & Contemporary Art auction that is led by a selection of charismatic artworks whose sale will benefit a number of acclaimed charity organizations including CITYarts, charity:water, Cure Addiction Now, American Heart Association, Rush Philanthropic Arts Foundation, St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital and Tibet House US among others. The impressive array of artists and their estates who choose the charities hail from various branches of the contemporary art world — from photography to street art, from sculpture to editioned work — and include Christo, Richard Hambleton, LA II, Bob Gruen, James Marshall, Danny Hastings, Danny Clinch and others.

“This section of our fall auction is called Art for Good, and it’s an incredible opportunity for collectors to support important causes while picking up some amazing art,” says Taylor Curry, Heritage’s Director of Modern & Contemporary Art in New York. “Whether it’s an artwork by Vik Muniz, Amir Diop, Alec Soth or another in this selection, all the lots in Art for Good have a charitable component, many with 100% of the sale going to charity. This is where art and philanthropy come together to make a difference.”

“We got overwhelming creative support from both iconic and emerging artists who wanted to support their favorite causes,” says Coppy Holzman, an advisor for the project who was proud to be involved based on his philanthropic expertise as the founder of Charitybuzz. “We have had such a positive response and so many new ideas being discussed that we know that this will be the first of many collaborations for good with Taylor and his very experienced team at Heritage."

A 1991 lithograph by Christo, titled Lower Manhattan Wrapped Buildings, Project for 2 Broadway, 20 Exchange Place, is an emblematic work by the artist featuring one of his unrealized lower Manhattan projects. It’s been adorned and collaged in the studio with fabric, thread, a city map, tape, charcoal, and pencil on board — the artist’s hand. Proceeds from the sale of this lot and 15 others in the event will benefit CITYarts, an established organization that involves youth in collaboration with professional artists to create public artworks such as mosaics and murals. Says Tsipi Ben-Haim, CITYarts founder and executive and creative director, “CITYarts’ 50 States of Peace initiative brings youth and artists together to imagine and create Peace murals in their neighborhoods to transform their communities. We are proud to be involved in this launch of the Art for Good initiative.”

Also benefiting CITYarts are works by favorite street artist LA II, a.k.a. Angel Ortiz — a significant collaborator of Keith Haring known for helping shape not only Haring’s aesthetic but also as a pioneer of the entire Urban Art movement. LA II’s shared root system with Haring is visible in Untitled (Lizard and Spray Can)for instance,and their connection culminates in this collaboration with Haring, Keith Haring Gong(the title is apt) — the closed circle of the gong emblazoned with the bold graphic of the radiant baby honors their friendship and shared creative spirit; another tribute to his old friend features the iconic bold graphic dancing man, crawling baby and barking dog, as well as Two Heart Figures and others. “This collection is the largest online offering of LA II's work featuring a wide range of mediums from street signs to sculptures,” says Curry.

Proceeds from some works by LA II in the Art for Good session of the auction, as well as works by Richard A. Hambleton (check out Hambleton’s tribute to LA II), Louis Carreon, Nacho Moya and others benefit Cure Addiction Now (CAN), a non-profit committed to revolutionizing the system of how substance use disorders are treated both physically and emotionally. Says Nancy Davis, the organization’s founder, “The evidence is indisputable that one cannot be treated without the other and they go hand in hand. I founded CAN with my son Jason Davis, who tragically passed away in February of 2020. Supporting our work with Art for Good moves us one step forward in helping us achieve our goals.”

Other Art for Good gems in the Nov. 19 auction include a collaboration between Felipe Jácome and Svitlana Onipko titled Svitlana 1, from 2022, from their Unbroken Ukraine Project — images of Ukrainian ballerinas displaced by the war are transferred onto panels of bullet casings using a UV printer — and proceeds from its sale go to RFK Human Rights; Brittney S. Price (20th Century)’s Choose Joy, from 2023, of which the artist notes A black hand reaches for joy-symbolized fruit under the ancient Ghanaian Sankofa, symbolizing the necessity of understanding the past for future progress, and has proceeds benefittingKeep Your Change, which focuses on empowering underserved students by providing mentorship and support; from legendary downtown photographer Bob Gruen on offer is perhaps his most familiar portrait, John Lennon, New York City, 1974, showing the world’s most famous NYC transplant in his cut-off “New York City” t-shirt and sunglasses, arms crossed over his chest. One hundred percent of the proceeds from the sale of this piece will go to Tibet House, which is dedicated to preserving Tibet’s unique civilization and culture

These are just a handful of the highly collectible works that the Art for Good project has secured for this auction. “Art for Good celebrates creativity and promotes the next generation of emerging talent while celebrating icons, all while making a positive change for good,” says Holzman.

“This sweeping auction is packed with favorite names from Urban and Contemporary art, including KAWS, RETNA and Futura,” says Curry, “as well as emerging talent such as Flog, Scott Listfield and Houston wunderkind Loc Huynh. It also features a rare collection of sneakers led by original 1985 Nike Air Jordans. And of course the standout feature of this event is the Art for Good section of artworks. Heritage is thrilled and honored by this collaboration with Art for Good, and we’re excited to introduce these works to new homes, all to benefit such important causes.”