The Noble Maritime Collection will present its 36th Annual John A. Noble Art Auction fundraiser on Friday, November 15
The Noble Maritime Collection will host the 36th Annual John A. Noble Art Auction, a fundraiser for the museum on Friday, November 15. The live auction at the museum will also be streamed on LiveAuctioneers, with a remote bidding option.
The auction is the Noble Maritime Collection’s only fundraising event of the year, and helps to cover up to 20% of the museum's annual budget, making possible exhibitions and free and low-cost public programs including arts education for children of all ages and abilities.
This year’s lots include original lithographs by the museum’s namesake, John A. Noble (1913-1983); watercolor and oil paintings; work in a variety of mediums by noted local contemporary artists; and vintage prints by world-renowned artists such as John James Audubon (1785-1851).
“The Noble Art Auction would not be possible without the generosity of so many local contributors, including, but not limited to, the artists and collectors who donate one-of-a-kind pieces of art, the enthusiastic bidders who compete to acquire them, and the sponsors who help underwrite the event,” commented the museum’s Executive Director Ciro Galeno, Jr.
He continued, “This broad level of community support is what makes the Noble Art Auction so special and drives its success. Every dollar we raise goes to fulfilling the museum’s mission to educate the public about maritime history—inspired by Noble’s life and art—and to preserve our landmarked building.”
Scott Van Campen, Executive Director of MakerSpace NYC, will return for his sixth year as auctioneer, joined by Mr. Galeno, who will present commentary on each piece of art and its artist.
The in-person event will begin at 6:30 PM with an open bar and a light supper. Catering by Framboise, led by Chef Frank Puleo, will once again cater the event with cuisine inspired by the Amalfi coast of Italy.
The art auction will start at 8 PM and will be simultaneously streamed on LiveAuctioneers.com for virtual bidding.
Major underwriting for the event has been generously provided by Caddell Dry Dock and Repair Company, Donjon Marine Company, MCM Forest Products, and Atlantic Salt, as well as other business and community supporters that can be viewed at noblemaritime.org/auction.
Tickets are $125 each, or $90 for museum members. Reservations are required. Those who wish to participate on LiveAuctioneers can make a free account to register for the Noble auction. LiveAuctioneers registrations will be accepted through the day of the event on November 15.
To purchase tickets, view the art, and learn about live online bidding via LiveAuctioneers, visit noblemaritime.org/auction.
The auction art is currently being exhibited in the museum’s second floor library and features 45 lots, including antique and contemporary paintings, prints, photographs, and unique objects.
There are three lithographs by Noble, including Mortara Genova from 1948, which has never before been offered in the museum’s auction. The others are The Florida, 1892-1947 from 1964 and Man, Moon, and Bowsprit from 1961.
There are also rare and antique prints available. Included are Carolina Parrot by John James Audubon (1785-1851), published in 1948, depicting the colorful, extinct parakeet that was native to the US; and The Landing of Captain Cook at Tanna by William Hodges (1744-1797), a copper engraving from 1777—the oldest pieces in the auction.
The limited edition print New York: The Foot of South Street in 1876 by the museum’s late trustee and noted maritime artist John Stobart (1929-2023) will likely spark lots of competitive bidding. There is also a limited edition print available by Thomas Maclay Hoyne III (1924-1989), a noted 20th century maritime artist, donated by Roger Sherry in memory of his late sister, Virginia Sherry.
Additionally there is a selection of fine art prints by Staten Island artist Ferdinand A. Busing (1876-1961), depicting a South Shore maritime scene, and Herman Rose (1909-2007), depicting the New Jersey waterfront as viewed from the Hudson River during the last century.
Contemporary artists who have contributed prints to the auction or are represented include Staten Islanders Jamie Brant, Bill Murphy, and Sarah Yuster, as well as William Behnken, Colleen Pike Blair, Diego Briceno, Miriam Quen Cheikin, Martha Ives, Andrea Kornbluth, Patricia Langer, Sachin Pannuri, Francesca, D’Atria Romano, Yakub Shalmiyev, and Ellen Nathan Singer. The selection includes lithographs, aquatints, engravings, etchings, giclées, linocuts, and woodcuts.
An acrylic painting by Robert Padovano of the Washington Square arch was recently featured in the museum’s 2024 exhibition The Sea, the City, and the Golden Hour: Impressionist Maritime and Urban Landscapes by Robert Padovano.
Additionally available are paintings in various mediums by Griselda Healy, Eric Kahn, Sarah Rakes, Dennis Joseph Yanoski, and Stanley M. Zuckerberg (1919-1995), as well as Staten Islanders Anthony Butera (1940-2021), Kathy Fieramosca, Dr. Helena Gottlieb, Halina McCormack, and Bill Murphy.
The auction includes photographs by Eric Holmes (1960-2014) and Bo Kass (1938-2020), as well as noted Staten Island photographers Bill Higgins and Michael McWeeney.
Local artist and auction committee member Elle Finn donated an embossed pen-and-ink drawing, and also available is an ink drawing of a sphinx and a winged woman by Edson Campos, who is known primarily for his photorealistic paintings.
Some especially unique objects in the Noble Art Auction include Sage Reynolds’ Aurora Blue, a tapestry made out of hand-painted paper; a cubist terracotta sculpture by Staten Island philanthropist Jean Roland (1924-2024); an antique glass sculpture of a female torso by Eleon Von Rommel (1894-1974); and a one-of-a-kind coat created circa 1985 by Barbara Register of Mood Swings, a Staten Island vintage shop.
For the first time, the museum will also host a silent auction for the chance to win a portrait session with Bradford Portraits in New York City. This photo session includes a stay at a luxury hotel.
Funds from the silent auction will directly support the museum’s work with PS 373, which will additionally be supported by funds raised during a paddle raise in the middle of the event hosted by Director of Programs Dawn Daniels.
Winning bidders through LiveAuctioneers can pick up their purchases at the museum beginning on Tuesday, November 19.
Shipping is available directly through LiveAuctioneers or through the museum’s partner, Postal Connections, 1365 N. Railroad Avenue, Staten Island. Interested bidders can get a quote before bidding and arrange for shipping by contacting them at (718) 980-2000 or postalconnections210@yahoo.com.
The Noble Maritime Collection is located in Building D, a former mariners’ dormitory at Snug Harbor Cultural Center and Botanical Garden, 1000 Richmond Terrace, Staten Island, New York.
The museum is open to the public Thursday through Sunday from 12 until 5 PM, during which time the auction preview exhibition can be viewed. Admission to the museum during regular gallery hours is by donation.
To learn more about this unique maritime museum, or for more information about the auction, call (718) 447-6490 or visit noblemaritime.org.