ECU’s Gray Gallery to host art auction and sale on Sept. 22, preview Sept. 7

The Wellington B. Gray Gallery in the East Carolina University School of Art and Design will present the Keaton and Umberger Gala Art Auction and Sale of fine art, crafts and decorative pieces on Sept. 22 from 6-9 p.m.

An opening reception and preview of the collection will be held from 5-8 p.m. Friday, Sept. 7. The public can view the pieces during gallery hours until Sept. 21.

Tickets for the auction and sale are $25 and may be purchased in advance by calling 252-328-1268 by Sept.14 or at the door on Sept. 22.

The evening also will feature live music, hors d’oeuvres and beverages from local Greenville establishments.

All proceeds from the event will support scholarships and programs at the ECU School of Art and Design.

For more than 50 years, the late Benjamin Franklin Keaton Jr. (ECU ‘57, ’61) and the late Wallace Randolph “Ranny” Umberger Jr. were supporters of artistic expression in a variety of different mediums. In 1998, Keaton and Umberger founded Long Leaf Opera, which for decades was one of only two opera companies in the Raleigh-Durham metropolitan area.

UPDATE – SEPT. 17, 2018
ECU art auction postponed
The Keaton and Umberger Gala Art Auction and Sale scheduled in East Carolina University‘s Gray Gallery for Saturday, Sept. 22, has been postponed until 2019.

“While the East Carolina University School of Art and Design and the Gray Gallery have been spared by Hurricane Florence, we are aware that many of our surrounding communities were not,” said Angel Bellaran, Gray Gallery director. “In solidarity with hurricane victims, the Gray Gallery hopes that those who are in a position to give would currently focus their efforts on our neighbors in need.”

Please note that the auction will be rescheduled, and purchased tickets will remain valid for the second iteration. If you would prefer a refund, please call 252-328-1268 or email gaddism@ecu.edu. For additional questions, email graygallery@ecu.edu.