ST. LOUIS, MO.- On Thursday, May 15, at Sotheby’s Contemporary Art Day Sale, fourteen lots were auctioned to benefit the Contemporary Art Museum St. Louis, raising $2.179 million in the single biggest fundraising day in the Museum’s history.

Integral to the benefit auction was CAM’s agreement with the contributing artists to share profits, allowing the Museum to provide the artists support as well as include an array of significant work. In an auction season featuring numerous pieces selling above the estimated value, CAM’s lots were no different.

Highlights include:

• Mark Hammons, Dirty Money—high estimate of $1.6 million—sold for $1.7 million

• Mark Flood, Star Channel—high estimate of $60,000—sold for $170,000

• Jordan Wolfson, Untitled—high estimate of $30,000—sold for $100,000

• Ron Gorchov, Cortigiana—high estimate of $30,000—sold for $55,000

Special thanks to Anthony Grant of Sotheby’s, Vice Chairman, Americas, Executive Vice President, International Senior Specialist, Contemporary Art, and auctioneer Alexander Rotter, Co-Head of Contemporary Art Worldwide, who managed and supported the auction.

““We are immensely grateful to Sotheby’s, the artists, and of course, the buyers,” said CAM Executive Director Lisa Melandri. “I also want to thank our newly appointed Chief Curator Jeffrey Uslip, who was instrumental in organizing the auction and securing these extraordinary works. This outpouring of generosity will have a tremendous effect on the wellbeing of the Museum and what we are able to accomplish in the coming years.”