The Smithsonian Visionary Benefit Auction

Rago is pleased to include The Smithsonian Visionary Benefit Auction presented by the Smithsonian Women's Committee within our Modern Design sale on May 13th. This special section features works created by past and present Smithsonian Visionary Artists, all sold to benefit the Smithsonian Institution.

263 Albert Paley

Double Shear Candleholders, pair

estimate: $4,500–6,500

result $5,313

264 Faith Ringgold

Jazz Stories: Mama Can Sing

estimate: $18,000–24,000

result $30,000

265 Faith Ringgold

Somebody Stole My Broken Heart

estimate: $4,000–6,000

result $3,840

266 Faith Ringgold

Groovin' High

estimate: $2,000–2,400

result $2,500

267 Faith Ringgold

The Sunflower Quilting Bee at Arles

estimate: $1,500–2,000

result $3,000

268 Joyce J. Scott

Pearl. Neckpiece.

estimate: $6,000–7,000

269 Toots Zynsky

Pacatezza

estimate: $20,000–30,000

result $25,000

270 Patti Warashina

Birdbox '18-D

estimate: $1,500–2,000

result $3,000

271 Patti Warashina

Queen with Fan

estimate: $6,000–8,000

result $6,250

272 Patti Warashina

Highballs

estimate: $5,000–7,000

result $6,875

273 Patti Warashina

Catbox '19-A

estimate: $4,000–6,000

result $5,000

All lots in the Smithsonian Visionary Benefit Auction are of the primary market, unless otherwise indicated. They are being sold with all proceeds going to the Smithsonian Institution and will be shipped directly from the artist or the gallery. Rago is waiving both the seller’s commission and buyer’s premium on these lots.

Rago is privileged to participate in this exceptional event, celebrating these visionary artists and supporting one of our nation’s most important cultural institutions.

Suzanne Perrault

Smithsonian
Visionary Artists

The Visionary Award, established in 2014, is presented annually to artists who are deemed by curators in the field to have risen to the pinnacle in the world of sculptural arts and design, who have works in major museums, and who have demonstrated distinction, creativity, artistry, and of course, vision in his or her respective medium.

Patti Warashina, the 2020 recipient of the Visionary Award, joins the small but prestigious list of past recipients: Joyce J. Scott, Faith Ringgold, Dale Chihuly, Toots Zynsky, Wendell Castle and Albert Paley.

Patti Warashina
2020 Smithsonian Visionary Artist

Albert Paley
2014 Visionary Award Recipient

Faith Ringgold
2017 Visionary Award Recipient

Joyce J. Scott
2019 Visionary Award Recipient

Toots Zynsky
2015 Visionary Award Recipient

Dale Chihuly
2016 Visionary Award Recipient

Wendell Castle
2014 Visionary Award Recipient