The annual photo auction put on by the Center for Photography at Woodstock (CPW), now in its 34th year, has gradually risen from a down-home funky affair to a major gala that, for the first time ever this year, will be taking place at Diamond Mills Hotel & Tavern in Saugerties this Sunday afternoon, October 7, from 3 to 7 p.m. Being honored with the art institution’s annual Vision Award this year will be Willis E. Hartshorn, senior deputy director of the International Center of Photography in New York City, who took over the position formerly held by the legendary photojournalist Cornell Capa in 1994.
Expect a large crowd to come out for Hartshorn – but also for what many consider to be one of the prime auctions for picking up both classic and cutting-edge photo works, often at a truly affordable price. Among the names represented in what will be on offer this year are the likes of Shelby Lee Adams, John Dugdale, Barbara Ess, Aaron Siskind, Eugene Atget, Paul Strand, Sheila Metzner, Kenro Izu, Martin Munkacsi, Daniel Kramer, Bruce Davidson, Platon and many, many more.
It begins with a cocktail reception from 3 to 5 p.m. featuring live music, food and drink, an auction preview, the Vision Awards Ceremony at 5 p.m. and the live photo auction starting at 5:45. In addition to the artworks on sale, there will be a handful of extra “experiences” such as a private lunch and gallery tour of New York’s Chelsea District with the New Yorker’s photo critic Vince Aletti and similar items.
The event’s as known, now, for its hobnobbing potential as for its fundraising and industry-honoring elements. Tickets cost $100 per person for the whole event or $50 for the auction, $35 for CPW members.
The 2012 CPW Photo Auction & Gala, including a Vision Award ceremony honoring the International Center for Photography’s Willis E. Hartshorn, runs from 3 to 7 p.m. this Sunday, October 7 at the Diamond Mills Hotel & Tavern on Partition Street in Saugerties. To purchase Gala tickets in advance, call (845) 679-9957 or visit www.cpw.org.
Join the family! 
