The abandoned Bay Basement | 450 Portage Avenue, Winnipeg  (Vaughan Street entrance)

The 2017 Plug In Institute of Contemporary Art Gala & Art Auction was held on Saturday, November 04, 2017. Our most ambitious fundraiser to date, we over-took the abandoned Bay basement with the help of our presenting sponsor, Montrose. Our atmospheric redesign of the space embellished pre-existing elements with smoke machines; lighting design, and décor presented by EQ3, Candela and Verde Plant Design. Our featured artist Scott Fitzpatrick enhanced the experience further with site-specific projections, and the dulcet sounds of cherished DJ’s crabskull and Louie Lovebird set the tone.

As a central highlight of the gala, our incomparable art auction featured an incredible list of forty contemporary artists who generously donated artworks. We started the evening with complimentary champagne sponsored by CGM Engineering before sampling from twelve exceptional culinary partners for a taste of Winnipeg’s finest food, with complimentary wine pairings sponsored by Kenaston Wine Market, and cocktails by Forth. In addition to excellent food, drinks and visual art, Winnipeg’s beloved Drag Queen, Pharaoh Moans was our MC for the evening.

Following the main event, we were thrilled to host Brooklyn-based musician, writer, activist, artist and DJ, JD Samson of Le Tigre, and MEN to play at our after party. Guests attending the gala were invited to stay and dance the night away as a new wave of guests joined the party. JD Samson is best known as leader of the band MEN and for being one-third of the electronic-feminist-punk band and performance project, Le Tigre. For more than a decade JD’s career as a musician, producer and DJ has landed her at the intersection of the music, art, activism, and fashion. During that time she has toured the world, produced songs for Grammy Award winning artists, written for publications such as Huffington Post, Talkhouse, and Creative Time Review, created multi-media artwork, hosted documentary programs for VICE, and
engaged in direct support with a wide-range of progressive social and political causes.

The proceeds raised from this exceptional event help keep us FREE and accessible to all. As an Institute of Contemporary Art, our mandate is to provide dynamic programming free to all. Contributions went directly towards our programming, ensuring that Plug In ICA continues to provide world-class exhibitions, events, lectures, online projects and education programs.

Thank you to the generous artists who donated work for the 2017 Gala:

Abbas Akhavan • Juan Ortiz Apuy • Graham Asmundson • Kristina Banera • Nadia Belerique • Irene Bindi • Valerie Blass • Annie Briard • Hannah Claus • Patrick Cruz • The Ephemerals • Erica Eyres • Dayna Danger • FASTWÜRMS • Ray Fenwick • Kandis Friesen • Kara Hamilton • Frederico Herrero • Instant Coffee • Toril Johannessen • Ursula Johnson • Wanda Koop • Lise Latreille • Chloe Lum (Seripop) • Ursula Mayer • Divya Mehra • Katrina Mendoza • Natalie Putschwitz • Andrea Roberts • Andreas Rutkauskas • Fred Sandback • Cyrus Smith • Suzie Smith • Tereza Tacic • Robert Taite • Ron Tran • Collin Zipp

Culinary Stations:
The Cheesemongers
Chew
Clementine
Close Co.
Cornerstone
Deer + Almond
East India Company
Eva’s Gelato
Fools + Horses
Forth
Fusian Experience
Pizzeria Gusto
Tallest Poppy