Casey House Foundation

Warming up the bidders

“Charitable art auction” may not sound particularly thrilling, but don’t be fooled. The annual Art with Heart auction—which supports Casey House, Canada’s first and only dedicated HIV/AIDS hospital—is a swinging, must-attend event for Toronto’s glitterati, featuring works by the country’s most celebrated artists and its most exciting emerging stars. The tales that come out of the annual event—drinks poured, celebrities spotted, bidding wars had, and artists’ careers made—are nearly as colourful as the artworks themselves. What better place to share these stories (and get attendees’ paddle hands itching) than the auction catalogue? I interviewed new and seasoned patrons, as well as the auction’s curatorial team, and wrote digestible, inspiring profiles of their experience with Art with Heart: a perfect appetizer before the real feast begins.