Even though she had already made three other purchases, Kami Pomerantz didn’t hesitate to jump right in and bid some more when auctioneer Charlie Biederman introduced the last item at Cabaret & Cabernet. It was a self-portrait by the late actor Zero Mostel, and the story behind it is as interesting as the artwork itself.
Nine years ago, it was part of an exhibition at Singer Gallery in Denver’s Mizel Center for Arts & Culture at the Robert E. Loup Jewish Community Center. Curator Simon Zalkind thought it had been returned, but recently found it tucked away in a storage room while he was hunting for something else.
Zalkind contacted Mostel’s son, Joshua, to tell him he’d be sending it back, and during the course of their conversation Zalkind just happened to mention that Singer Gallery would soon be having its first art auction, Cabaret & Cabernet.
Joshua responded by telling Zalkind he should keep his dad’s self-portrait and include it in the sale that was chaired by Judy Robins and Susan Cooper and raised $60,000.
The money will be used for Singer Gallery improvements, including a new lighting system, and to mount the five free-to-the-public exhibitions it offers each year.
“It is such a thrill to see Singer Gallery, long recognized by the art critics in town as one of the finest small galleries in the city, finally have a celebration (of this magnitude),” said Steve Wilson, the Mizel Center’s executive artistic director. Robins added: “Simon Zalkind has put on critically acclaimed shows for years, and with the money we raised he will be able to improve the lighting in the space and upgrade other aspects of the gallery.”
Arlene and Barry Hirschfeld, along with Andrea Pollack and Bill Hankinson, were the honorary chairs; food was provided by Occasions by Sandy.
Coming right up
Women between the ages of 21 and 35 who are interested in volunteering on behalf of Girls Inc. of Metro Denver are invited to a reception hosted by the mentoring agency’s new Junior Alliance. It’s from 6-8 p.m. Thursday at Space Gallery, 765 Santa Fe Drive, and co-chairs Katie Dark, Cissie Megyesy and May Wilson will speak briefly about the goals and activities planned for the coming year. Call Stacey Ennis, 303-893-4363, ext. 109.
Rocky Mountain Unit of Recording for the Blind and Dyslexic will award $4,500 in scholarships Friday at its third annual Bud King Awards Luncheon. Retired 9News anchor Ed Sardella, a volunteer reader for RFB&D, will emcee the event at Cherry Hills Country Club; Colorado’s former first lady, Frances Owens, is the honorary chairwoman. Tickets are $50 and can be purchased from executive director Betsy Boudreau, 303-757-0787. The scholarships – three $500 grants to middle and high school students and three $1,000 collegiate awards – honor the memory of George Y. “Bud” King, a past chair of the Rocky Mountain Unit board.
Society editor Joanne Davidson can be reached at 303-809-1314 or jdavidson@denverpost.com
