ASPEN, CO.- On Friday, July 31, 2015, the Aspen Art Museum raised over $2.5 million at their annual ArtCrush summer benefit, which helps fund the museum's impressive educational and curatorial programming throughout the year. The event, which was held on the grounds of the former Aspen Art Museum (590 North Mill Street), took place as the museum approached the first year anniversary of the inaugural opening of its Shigeru Ban-designed building at 637 East Hyman Avenue in Aspen's downtown core. Annually, this event brings together prominent arts patrons, artists, museum professionals, and gallerists, who collectively support the museum and it's mission.

ArtCrush 2015 was presented for the ninth consecutive year by Sotheby's, and attended by both Sotheby's President and CEO Tad Smith and Chairman Domenico De Sole. The ArtCrush 2015 live auction was once again presided over by Sotheby's Senior International Specialist of Contemporary Art, Oliver Barker.

In addition to the silent auction of over 100 works held in partnership with auction partners Paddle8, the live auction included artworks by world-renowned contemporary artists Allora & Calzadilla, Carol Bove, Cecily Brown, Bruce High Quality Foundation, Martin Creed, Roberto Cuoghi, Tom Friedman, Lorna Simpson, Jessica Stockholder, and Thomas Struth.

This year, the museum honored Lorna Simpson with the 2015 Aspen Award for Art, which was presented by Nancy and Bob Magoon CEO and Director, Heidi Zuckerman. Simpson's donated live auction work, Darkened Staircase, sold for $210,000—an awesome $85,000 above the lot's estimated value.

Additional live auction highlights include: Allora & Calzadilla, Untitled from Lakes, Rivers Ponds and Streams, 2013, ($70K); Carol Bove, Untitled, 2014, ($300K); Cecily Brown, Untitled (75), 2008, ($190K); Martin Creed, Work No. 1522 AMOR, 2013, ($68K); Roberto Cuoghi, Pazuzu, 2014, ($70K); Jessica Stockholder, Curtsy in the Blind, 2015, ($40K); and Thomas Struth, Tokamak Asdex Upgrade Periphery, Max Plank IPP, Garching, Germany, 2009, ($80K).

The silent auction included an international selection of artists, including Francesco Clemente, Dan Flavin, Haas Brothers, Ruth Laskey, Rodney McMillian, Peter Rostovsky, Stonefox Architects, and more.

Addressing the crowd in the dinner/auction tent just prior to the live auction on Friday night, Heidi Zuckerman commented: "I really believe that the thing that we all want most in life is to be part of something that matters. Here in Aspen, together, we have created something that matters. Together we share these values—art matters, artists matter, and museums matter. All of you here tonight matter—your wisdom, your advocacy and your commitment matter, and you make a profound and lasting impact on the lives of so many people."

Each year, a three-day suite of ArtCrush benefit events takes place throughout the city, hosted by some of the museum's most important supporters and sponsors. ArtCrush 2015, presented by Sotheby's and sponsored by Dom Pérignon and Southern Wine and Spirits, began with WineCrush on Wednesday, July 29, generously hosted by ArtCrush Chair and AAM National Council member Amy Phelan and Board of Trustees Co-President John Phelan in their Aspen home. The event, presented by Chanel Fine Jewelry, also featured vintage wines and food pairings, overseen by world-renowned sommeliers all led by Jay Fletcher, Executive Director of Fine Wine and Master Sommelier for Southern Wine and Spirits.

PreviewCrush, on Thursday, July 30, was held at Baldwin Gallery, hosted by gallery owner and AAM National Council member Richard Edwards, allowing guests to preview the silent and live auction works included in Friday evening's ArtCrush event. For the third year in a row, Casterline|Goodman Gallery hosted PreviewExtra, which included additional works included in the ArtCrush auction.

The guest list for ArtCrush 2015 included: Cassandria Blackmore • Jorge Méndez Blake • Peter Coffin • Will Cotton • Marc Dennis • Dzine • Simon Denny • Orly Genger • Nikolai Haas • Simon Haas • Rodney McMillian • Allison Miller • Amelio Perez • Richard Phillips • Randy Polumbo • Carlos Rolón • Lorna Simpson • Ken Solomon • Jessica Stockholder • Mickalene Thomas • Mary Weatherford.