New City Arts Gala & Art Auction

This year’s gala is going to be a blockbuster! Join us for a glittering night of art and community on Wednesday, May 6 from 6 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. —plus an all-new after party until 11:00 p.m.—at the Violet Crown. Guests will walk the red carpet, sponsors will dazzle on the mall marquee, and we’ll all enjoy Oscar-worthy fare from The Catering Outfit. And thanks to title sponsor Ann Hay Hardy of Frank Hardy Sotheby's International Realty, this year’s auction is sure to thrill! Prime-time Gala tickets and sponsored seat blocks include food, drinks, live and silent art auctions, a nail-biter of a raffle, and access to the first-of-its-kind after party. Can't make it to the main event? Join us at the after party (separate tickets available) from 9-11PM for drinks, apps, dessert, and silent auction bidding. Proceeds go to powering New City Arts programs for Charlottesville area artists. PURCHASE TICKETS & SPONSOR SEAT BLOCKS PURCHASE TICKETS & SPONSOR SEAT BLOCKS 📍 Event Details At The Violet Crown from 6-9:30PM on May 6, 2026 📍Run of Show 6-7:30PM ► Cocktail Hour, Silent Auction Bidding  🥂 And…ACTION! Mingle with artists and art lovers while enjoying drinks and heavy hors d'oeuvres, casually bidding on art by Charlottesville artists. In response to participant feedback, this year’s event isn’t a seated dinner: Instead the Catering Outfit will provide a menu full of seriously delicious bites (bacon-wrapped dates, papas bravas, ricotta crackers, duck tacos, and beef carpaccio—to name a few*). Silent Auction Artists: Avery Williamson, Chloe Clayborne, Frank Phillips, Hannah Kade, Justin Vesser, Kaki Dimock, Kevin Kwon, Lou Haney, Neon Soul, Roger Williams, Sharon Lee, Somé Louis, Stacey Evans, Ted Hardin, Tori Cherry *Menu subject to change. 7:30-9PM ► Live Auction & Program 🎨 Pass the popcorn! Auctioneer Chip is back for another round of edge-of-your-seat bidding, featuring incredible work from artists in Charlottesville and beyond. This year’s auction is presented by title sponsor, Ann Hay Hardy of Frank Hardy Sotheby's International Realty. Live Auction Artists: Autumn Jefferson, Bisa Butler, Cassie Guy, Clay Witt, Ézé Amos, John Grant, Krista Townsend, Lara Call Gastinger, Lindsey Luna Tucker, Megan Elizabeth Read, Michelle Gagliano, Sam Abell 9-11PM ► After Party, Silent Auction Ends 🛎️ As the silent auction continues to simmer (the final bid will be 9:30 p.m.), let your hair down and enjoy special drinks, apps, and desserts. ✏️ How to Bid 🎟️ All gala attendees receive a bid number. 📣 To bid on artwork without a dinner ticket, you will need a proxy bidding number to bid. Gala and proxy bidding tickets can be purchased here. 🎉 Sponsor Levels & Tickets Blockbuster Sponsor: $5,000 (sold out) “Presented by” designation for the art auction, with logo displayed on main event screen during programming portion of the evening Red carpet with “step and repeat” backdrop–featuring sponsor’s logo–at check in Custom “Marquee” movie-p...