If there’s one thing for sure, it’s that the IMA certainly knows how to throw a celebratory bash. This year, the contemporary art hub celebrates 46 years of exhibiting top-tier works from local, national and international artists with its annual gala at The Calile Hotel. IMA’s 2021 Gala will honour two seminal Australian artists – conceptual painter Jenny Watson and the late Laurie Nilsen, a trailblazing urban Indigenous artist. The evening will also showcase a mini exhibition of contemporary artworks (which will be available to bid on in the Benefit Auction) as well as artist performances, raffle prizes and delicious eats and offerings from some of James Street’s most beloved fine-diners including Bianca, sAme sAme, Hellenika, SK Steak & Oyster, Jocelyn’s Provisions and The Calile Hotel.
For the first time ever, this year’s Benefit Auction will be accessible online in the lead-up to the gala from Thursday June 3 to allow interstate art enthusiasts to preview the artworks. Locals can also peep the pieces at the IMA gallery space on Brunswick Street in Fortitude Valley from June 15–16. Bidding, which will be done through online auction platform imabids.com, will open from Monday June 14 and will close on Friday June 18. For tickets and more info, pop over here.