MEDIA CONTACT:
Sarona Winfrey
(972) 529-8170 / winfreypr@att.net
PERSONAL ART COLLECTION TO BE AUCTIONED FOR PUBLIC GOOD
Anonymous donor also pledges substantial gift to establish the Luis Purón Endowment for the Fine Arts
ROCKPORT, Texas (Feb. 20, 2025) — Curated selections from The Contemporary Art Collection of Luis Purón will be auctioned in March to benefit Rockport Center for the Arts (RCA) as he prepares to depart from his executive director position 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 during his RCA tenure.
“The art auction serves as a reflection of my life and times in Rockport and the Texas arts scene over the past decade,” said Purón, “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 now time to share these treasured works of art that I have accumulated throughout my lifetime.”
Proceeds of the auction will benefit RCA’s multi-disciplinary arts programs via the newly established Luis Purón Endowment for the Fine Arts. A recent six-figure pledge from a donor who wishes to remain anonymous will be added to previously secured funding, raising the endowment’s pre-auction assets to $600,000.
In all, 142 curated works will be available via live and online auction from artists including Dorothy Hood, Jesus Moroles, Salvador Dali, James Rizzi, Jesse Amado, Simon Michael, Jennifer Ling Datckuk, Barbara Remington, Harding Black, Victor Vasarely, David Alfaro Siqueiros, Jed Fielding, Roy Lichtenstein, Kathy Vargas and more.
On Thursday, March 20, 60 pieces will be sold at a live auction at The Rockport Conference Center (The ROCC), 106 S Austin Street, with online bidding via LiveAuctioneers. The evening event begins at 5 p.m. (CST) with a cocktail reception hosted by Purón, followed by the auction, with limited seating, starting at 6 p.m. On Saturday, March 22, an online auction of 82 works will begin at 1 p.m. (CST). Online auction bidding and the required pre-registration may be accessed through LiveAuctioneers. Both events are under the direction of auctioneer and appraiser Mark J. Prendergast, AAA, of MJP Art Services.
“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,” said Prendergast. “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.”
Purón has lived in Rockport since 2015, relocating to take on the RCA executive director role following more than a decade of honing his business and marketing skills in the biotechnology industry on the East Coast. Although he had no prior creative sector experience, he brought an extensive network of national and international connections, a strong commitment to the arts in Texas, and a wealth of fresh ideas, helping to establish a lasting legacy for the arts in Rockport.
“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,” said Purón.
For more information on the upcoming auction, visit rockportartcenter.com or liveauctioneers.com.
About Rockport Center for the Arts
The new 1.2-acre Rockport Center for the Arts, the Coastal Bend’s first multidisciplinary arts organization, is located a block from Aransas Bay in the heart of the Rockport Cultural Arts District. Designed by the award-winning team at Richter Architects, the state-of-the-art campus features a two-story, 14,000-square-foot, visual arts and education building with four galleries and five classrooms (204 S. Austin St.); The Rockport Conference Center, a one-story, 8,000-square-foot conference and event center, known as The ROCC, (106 S. Austin St.); with a 16,000-square-foot Sculpture Garden serving as a visually inspiring transition space between the two buildings. The hours of operation for the showroom, galleries, and gift shop are Tuesday–Saturday from 10 a.m.–5 p.m. and Sunday from noon–4 p.m. Admission is always free. For information on event space or to book an event, call (361) 450-8033. For general information and to become a member, visit rockportartcenter.com, follow RCA on Facebook, or call (361) 729-5519.
About The Rockport Conference Center (The ROCC)
Located at 106 S. Austin St. on the 1.2-acre Rockport Center for the Arts campus is The Rockport Conference Center (The ROCC). Perfect for small conferences and board meetings, team-building events, family reunions, wedding receptions and more, the one-story, 8,000-square-foot conference and event center features a 4,400-square-foot ballroom (Randy Ewing Kemper Hall), 1,400-square-foot reception area (Estelle Stair Foyer), a fully equipped catering and culinary arts kitchen, and state-of-the-art AV and Wi-Fi throughout. For general information or to book an event, visit the-rocc.com, or call (361) 450-8033.
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