The Contemporary Art Collection of Luis Purón
Auction to Benefit Rockport Center for the Arts Endowment
Auctioneer, Mark J. Prendergast, AAA
Live and Online Auction
Thursday, March 20, 2025
Cocktail Party with Luis at 5 PM | Live Auction 6 PM
Location: Rockport Conference Center
106 S Austin St
Rockport, Texas
Site: LiveAuctioneers.com
Online Auction
Saturday, March 22, 2025 | 1 PM
Registration Link Coming Soon!
Foreword
Curated selections from Luis Purón's contemporary art collection are being sold at auction to benefit Rockport Center for the Arts (RCA) endowment, as he prepares to depart from his position as executive director in May.
Spanning four decades, Purón's collection encapsulates his life experiences, travels, and personal relationships with artists, showcasing works in all mediums that reflect contemporary themes and cultural dialogues with many pieces acquired from artists during his tenure as RCA executive director. The sale presents a unique opportunity to combine a celebration of artistic expression with philanthropy as proceeds will benefit RCA’s multi-disciplinary arts programs.
Auctioneer’s Statement
The collection that Luis Purón has assembled is a snapshot in time of the contemporary art scene that has been enhanced by his leadership of the Rockport Center of the Arts since 2015. Modern masters and national artists are also featured in the auction, making for an offering that will command interest from collectors seeking works by both emerging and well-established artists.
Mark J. Prendergast, AAA
Auctioneer and Appraiser
MJP Appraisals
Art Collector’s Statement
Standing before my collection for what I know will soon be the last time, I am reminded of the people and the stories woven into each piece—anecdotes of travel, a constant craving for cultural experiences, and lasting friendships with talented artists. My passion for contemporary art was ignited by my first acquisition: a poignant color photograph of a young Guatemalan boy taken by photojournalist Marianne Thomas. That moment set me on a transformative collecting journey.
In recent years, I have thought deeply about the future custody of my art collection, prompting a desire to share these works with the small coastal community that has nurtured my creative spirit. It is time to share these treasured works of art that I have accumulated throughout my lifetime. The art auction serves as a reflection of my life and times in Rockport and the Texas arts scene over the past decade. I sincerely hope these woks inspire you as much as they have delighted me.
Luis Purón
Executive Director
Rockport Center for the Arts
Treasurer
Texans for the Arts
Photography: Pamela Keyman Fulcher