MOCAD’s 2024 Gala + Art Auction – Detroit, MI

This year, MOCAD’s beloved Gala + Art Auction is back and better than ever.

Celebrate 18 incredible years of MOCAD at our Annual Art + Auction Gala!This year’s surrealist ball promises to be an unforgettable evening celebrating the art, creativity, and partnerships that have shaped our museum.

FEATURING

• Live Auction of Select Artworks
• Curated dinner
• Live performances by Detroit-based artists
• Rare opportunity to meet and mingle with current and upcoming exhibiting artists

HONOREES

Honorees at MOCAD’s 2024 Gala are recognized for their outstanding leadership and impactful contributions to the Detroit arts community.

Olayami Dabls is an esteemed artist, cultural organizer, curator and the founder of MBAD African Bead Museum. His practice reinterprets materiality, artifacts and iconography from across the African diaspora; to celebrate cultural autonomy and collective liberation.

Linda Powers is the Founder and Owner of Linda Powers Interiors and a founding Board member of MOCAD. Her award winning projects exhibit timeless design and a passion for contemporary art, evident in both her contribution to MOCAD’s Gala Committee and Capital Campaign Committee.

Omari Rush engages the arts as a passion and profession. He is currently Executive Director of CultureSource in Detroit and a Board member for the Lewis Prize for Music and SeaChange Capital Partners. He was recently Chair of the State of Michigan Arts and Culture Council.

All proceeds will benefit MOCAD’s exhibitions and programs, enriching our community for years to come. Don’t miss this extraordinary celebration!

Each year, funds rasied from the Gala allow MOCAD to host:

• 8-10 exhibitions, featuring cutting-edge artists from Detroit and beyond, available for viewing free of charge
• Over 100 free public programs, including panel discussions, art-making workshops, tours, trainings, and concerts
• 20+ youth programs, including art-making workshops and Family Day events

Learn more at mocadetroit.org/about.

Opportunities to sponsor this year’s gala are still available. By sponsoring the gala, you can directly support this impactful event. Contact Emily Durnen-Weiss at edurnen-weiss@mocadetroit.org to learn more.

FOOD + DRINKS

Guests will kick off the evening with complimentary craft cocktails and passed hors d’oeuvres during the cocktail reception, followed by a five-star plated dinner.

LIVE PERFORMANCES

We are excited to host multiple live performances along our surrealism gala theme!

ART AUCTION

This year, MOCAD is partnering with Artsy to host the annual Art Auction portion of the event online, pivoting from previous years’ in-person format. We’re thrilled to be able to expand this unique opportunity across the globe!

The auction features a star-studded group of artists from around the nation. Stay tuned for a list of participating artists.

Online bidding will open Monday, October 14th and close Monday, October 28th. Gala attendees will enjoy a preview of select pieces and the opportunity to talk about the works with MOCAD curators.

Check back by October 2nd for links to available auction items.

For more information about bidding and registration, please visit The Complete Guide to Auctions on Artsy or download the ‘How to Bid’ infographic.