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

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.
🎟️ All dinner attendees receive a bid number. Tickets and sponsored rows are on sale 3/26!
📣 To bid on artwork without a dinner ticket, you will need a proxy bidding number to bid.
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-poster recognition on the facade of the Violet Crown
- Logo printed on all auction paddles
- “Presented by” recognition on our welcome board and all relevant promotional media
- Ten (10) VIP tickets, including drinks (wine, beer, cocktails), dinner (heavy passed apps), and preferred seating in the theater
- Fifteen (15) raffle tickets
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Marquee Sponsor: $2,500
- Custom “Marquee” movie-poster recognition on the facade of the Violet Crown
- Eight (8) tickets including drinks (wine, beer, cocktails), dinner (heavy passed apps), and block of seats together in theater
- Logo recognition on our welcome board and all relevant promotional media
- Ten (10) raffle tickets
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Star Sponsor: $1,500
- Eight (8) tickets including drinks (wine, beer, cocktails), dinner (heavy passed apps), and block of seats together in theater
- Logo recognition on our welcome board and all relevant promotional media
- Ten (10) raffle tickets
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Prime Time Ticket (includes After Party): $150
- Includes a theater seat, bid number, dinner (heavy passed apps), and drinks (wine, beer, cocktails) for 1 person. Includes After Party access.
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Proxy Bidding Ticket: $50
If you would like to bid on artwork and do not have a ticket, you need a proxy bidding number to bid. You will receive a bid number but not an event ticket.
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After Party Ticket: $40
Join us downstairs at the Violet Crown for the After Party! After Party ticket includes snacks, 1 drink, and a bid number for silent auction artwork (bidding continues from the Main Gala until 9:30PM). Cash bar available.
New City Arts envisions the Charlottesville area as a place where a thriving group of local artists unsettles and transforms our community to work toward a more just, beautiful future.
Proceeds from this event support monthly exhibitions at our low-commission gallery, annual artist fellowships, biannual artist residencies, grantmaking events for artists, and artist-led programs, including events throughout our 15th exhibition season. Each exhibiting artist receives a $1,250 exhibition honorarium, professional show documentation, installation support, and expenses covered for artist-led programming like lunches, talks, and opening receptions. Curatorial power is held by artists and community members who select each season, and all events at the gallery are free to attend. Resident artists and artist fellows receive honoraria, studio space grants, and staff support for their project-based work. Our annual grantmaking event has awarded over $52,000 in funds for individual artists over the last 12 years. We support approximately 100 Charlottesville area artists and 5,000 community members each year through these core programs and events like artwork exchanges; arts education opportunities for all ages; internships; and opportunities to gather, rest, connect, and create.
Want to learn more? Explore our Impact Report!