Art, Travel, and Community Impact: Highlights from the Arts Foundation of Cape Cod Gala Auctions

Each year, the Arts Foundation of Cape Cod (AFCC) Gala brings together art lovers, collectors, and community supporters to celebrate the region’s thriving creative culture. This year’s fundraising effort features two exciting opportunities to bid on exceptional experiences and artwork. The Arts Foundation of Cape Cod Arts Gala Silent Auction starts May 28, 2026 and runs through June 12, 2026, while the Arts Gala Live Auction takes place on June 11, 2026, during the organization’s signature gala event.

Proceeds from both auctions directly support AFCC’s mission to strengthen and sustain a vibrant arts and cultural community across Cape Cod. Funds raised help provide grants for artists and organizations, expand arts access programs, advocate for the creative sector, and offer professional development opportunities through initiatives like the Creative Exchange Program.

From once-in-a-lifetime travel experiences and exclusive culinary events to works by some of the region’s most accomplished contemporary artists, this year’s auctions showcase the remarkable breadth of creativity and generosity that defines Cape Cod’s arts community. Here are six standout lots that deserve a closer look.

Gala Live Auction Highlights:

Tuscany, Italy: Seven Nights for Four Guests (Lot 1)

For bidders dreaming of an Italian escape, this experience delivers the very essence of la dolce vita. The winning bidder and three guests will enjoy seven nights in a private villa surrounded by olive groves in the heart of Tuscany, just outside the picturesque hill town of Cortona. Guests can spend their days exploring medieval villages, local markets, Florence, Siena, and renowned wine regions such as Chianti and Montepulciano. The package also includes a private three-course Tuscan dinner prepared by a personal chef, creating an unforgettable evening rooted in local tradition and hospitality. Valued at $5,500, this lot offers far more than a vacation; it’s an immersion into one of the world’s most beloved cultural landscapes. 

Estimate: $3,100 - $7,000

Dinner for Ten at the Home of Vintner Joseph Carr (Lot 5)

Some experiences simply can't be replicated, and this intimate dinner hosted by celebrated vintner Joseph Carr is one of them. Designed for ten guests, the evening begins with cocktails, live music, and a raw oyster bar before transitioning into a thoughtfully curated multi-course dinner. Each course is paired with wines personally selected and presented by Carr, who shares stories and insights behind every bottle. Set within a stunning private residence, the experience blends exceptional food, wine, conversation, and hospitality into what can only be described as a once-in-a-lifetime gathering. For wine enthusiasts and entertainers alike, this lot is truly priceless. 

Estimate: $2,900 - $25,000

Following Footprints by Jackie Reeves (Lot 3)

Art collectors will be drawn to Following Footprints, a striking acrylic-on-fabric work mounted on birch wood panel by Cape Cod-based artist Jackie Reeves. Known for her multidisciplinary practice that spans painting, installation, animation, and collage, Reeves creates works that explore memory, transformation, and process through layered abstraction and figurative elements. The artist was recently named the 2026 Arts Foundation of Cape Cod Artist of the Year, further cementing her influence within the region’s creative community. Measuring 55 by 41 inches and valued at $7,000, this captivating piece represents both an exciting acquisition and an opportunity to support a celebrated local artist. 

Estimate: $2,100 - $10,500

Silent Auction Highlights:

Prince of Whales by Jo Hay (Lot 1)

One of the most compelling works in the Silent Auction is Jo Hay’s monumental oil-on-canvas portrait, Prince of Whales. The painting depicts acclaimed British author and filmmaker Philip Hoare, whose lifelong fascination with whales inspired the work. Hay's accompanying story about Hoare’s encounters with whales adds remarkable depth to the piece, transforming it into more than a portrait; it becomes a meditation on humanity’s connection to the natural world. Measuring 48 by 66 inches and valued at $30,000, the painting combines masterful portraiture with powerful storytelling, making it a centerpiece lot for serious collectors. 

Estimate: $10,000 - $45,000

Like Rabbits by Joerg Dressler (Lot 5)

Joerg Dressler’s Like Rabbits showcases the artist’s distinctive approach to blending natural imagery with geometric abstraction. Working in acrylic on panel, Dressler explores themes of memory, impermanence, and the fragile beauty of the natural world. His work has been exhibited widely and is included in several museum collections, including the Provincetown Art Association and Museum. Adding even more significance to this lot, the artist has pledged 100 percent of the sale proceeds to benefit the Arts Foundation of Cape Cod. For collectors looking to make a meaningful impact while acquiring museum-caliber contemporary art, this is an exceptional opportunity. 

Estimate: $2,000 - $5,700

230725 by MiYoung Sohn (Lot 6)

MiYoung Sohn’s 230725 offers a colorful and deeply personal glimpse into the artist’s daily creative practice. Created from painted paper collage on Fabriano paper, the work is part of Sohn’s ongoing Daily Collage Series, which emerged from her year-round life on Cape Cod and reflects themes of solitude, experimentation, and persistence. Using simple materials such as paper, paint, and glue, Sohn creates vibrant abstract compositions that celebrate the value of showing up every day to make art. The piece's approachable scale and whimsical energy make it an appealing entry point for both seasoned and emerging collectors. 

Estimate: $600 - $1,500

The Arts Foundation of Cape Cod Gala Auctions demonstrate the powerful connection between philanthropy and creativity. From dream travel experiences in Tuscany and unforgettable evenings with renowned vintners to significant works by accomplished contemporary artists, these auctions offer bidders the chance to acquire something extraordinary while directly supporting Cape Cod’s thriving arts community.

Whether you participate in the live event or place bids in the silent auction, every winning bid helps fund programs that make the arts more accessible, support local artists, and strengthen the cultural fabric of the region. For collectors, travelers, and arts advocates alike, these auctions present an opportunity to invest not only in exceptional experiences and artwork, but also in the future of the arts on Cape Cod.

Register to bid on Bidsquare.com!