2009 Desert Gala
Live Auction Items

  1. Sundance Adventure for Two

    Nestled at the base of Mount Timpanogos in the Wasatch Mountains of Utah and situated on 6,000 acres of spectacular wilderness, Sundance is a full-service year-round community for the arts, recreation, and nature. Enjoy a 3-day, 2-night stay at Sundance Resort in a uniquely appointed, sustainably-configured suite and dinner for two in the Tree Room, Sundance's fine dining restaurant serving seasonal mountain cuisine. Sundance is a four-season resort offering all who visit an array of mountain activities in the summer including hiking, mountain biking, fly-fishing, river rafting, and horseback riding and in winter a number of snow sports as well as unique offerings such as art classes, exhibits, plays, celebrity guest lectures and periodic film screenings. This adventure includes round-trip airfare for two.

    Donated by Frontier Airlines and anonymous donors

  2. Desert Museum Botany Revegetation Adventure*

    We're 56 years old and still growing! Next time you're at the Desert Museum, notice the desert spaces between the exhibits. Many changes have happened here over the years, and what looks like native desert may be locations of former paths or exhibits. The Botany department has successfully re-vegetated these sites to a state of maturity that replicates the original native desert appearance. We call it "Copying Nature": Revegetation the Desert Museum Way. This is your once-in-a-blue-moon opportunity to have the staff of the Desert Museum's Botany Department restore a site at your home to a native desert landscape. The size of the area will be limited to about 1000 sq. ft. (along the lines of a recent septic installation, relocated driveway, etc). We will: conduct a planning visit to your site, provide plant and irrigation material, plant the site, and offer care instructions.

  3. Tiffany & Co.

    "Mother Nature is the Best Designer" has served as the unofficial motto for Tiffany & Co. since Charles Lewis Tiffany founded the company in 1837. And Mother Nature is most certainly at work in Elsa Peretti's designs presented in tonight's Live Auction.

    Reptiles are featured prominently as well as the amazing Scorpion Pendant crafted of sterling silver on a 15.5" sterling chain. The serpentine form carries streamlined modernity in Flexible Snake Earrings crafted of sterling silver, for pierced ears. And the Snake Bangle bracelet in sterling silver will wrap itself sleekly on your wrist. These amazing one-of-a-kind Elsa Peretti jewelry pieces are accompanied by a charming two-volume, silpcased set, Tiffany Flora & Fauna, by John Loring, filled with lavish photographs and archival drawings of nature-inspired Tiffany & Co. jewelry and designs.

    Donated by Tiffany & Co.

  4. Puerto Vallarta Vacation

    Discover a world of beauty and luxury during your one-week stay at the Grand Velas All Suites & Spa Resort during "super prime season" with all expenses paid. Located on the magnificent Banderas Bay in Nuevo Vallarta, Mexico, Grand Velas offers world-class hospitality, gourmet dining, and luxurious accommodations in a spectacular setting on Mexico's golden coast.

    Your accommodations at Grand Velas will be the 2-bedroom "Governor's Suite. With over 3,000 square feet of space, this expansive and luxurious suite includes two spacious bedrooms, three bathrooms, a separate dining area, a living area, and a large private terrace with panoramic views of the Pacific Ocean. Other features include a private bar, and a12-person Jacuzzi. There is no doubt that one week at the Grand Velas will provide you with an unforgettable vacation. In addition, the town of Puerto Vallarta itself still seems like a small quaint seaside village, especially in the narrow cobblestone streets of its "old town" sector. In the 1960s it achieved an iconic reputation as a classic steamy tropical destination for Richard Burton, Elizabeth Taylor and Ava Gardner in the John Huston classic film The Night of the Iguana. Today it is home to some of the world's most beautiful beaches as well as the best restaurants and international art galleries in all of Mexico.

    And to add to the vacation week, Rick Brusca, the Desert Museum's Director of Conservation and Science, and distinguished marine biologist, is available for a tide-pooling expedition or a snorkeling adventure. This adventure includes airfare for four.

    Donated by Dr. Evelyn Carswell-Bing and John Bing and The Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum.

  5. Adenium "Amiability"*

    You've seen adeniums presented in the Gala live auctions over the years, but never one like this! Tonight's exclusive Adenium arabicum is a Taiwan hybrid and has one of the finest large red flowers of any adenium. The plant is a sturdy, erect shrub that flowers most of the year. It stands 3 1/2 feet tall x 4 feet wide and is featured here tonight in an exceptional pot. In addition to its remarkable beauty, this featured plant is exceptional in having been lovingly nurtured for 9 years by Dr. Dimmitt. Care instructions included.

    Donated by Dr. Mark Dimmitt and Paradise Distributing

    Photos © Dr. Mark Dimmitt

  6. Damián Quezada Mata Ortiz Pot

    A Desert Gala tradition - this offering is a spectacular pot crafted by Damián Quezada, a master potter of Mata Ortiz. Damián learned to pot from his uncle Nicolas Quezada and his cousin Oscar Gonzales Quezada after he moved to Nuevo Casas Grandes. His wife Elvira forms the vessels of white and pink clays, while Damián paints the complex polychrome images. One of his unique characteristics is the manner in which he lays out designs on his jars. The surface is divided into five, six, or eight divisions with identically repeated elements. Needless to say, because of the large number of sections, the complexity of Damián's work is difficult to see with just one casual glance. (The Many Faces of Mata Ortiz, ©1999)

    The incredible olla featured in tonight's auction is presented in mesmerizing detail - for the new collector, a prize worthy of a new beginning, for the connoisseur, adding exquisite depth to a treasured collection.

    Reserve: This item will be withdrawn if minimum bid is not met

    Donated by Mr. and Mrs. Walter G. Henderson.

  7. Comprehensively Canid (The story of the Pomeranian and the Wolf)

    Explore the roots of the domestic dog, as well as the many directions different breeds have taken to domestication in this two-part adventure. We will begin by exploring the domestic dog's ancestors and its wild origin by joining Craig Ivanyi in a discussion and tour of the Museum's collection of foxes, coyotes, and wolves.

    Afterwards, travel to the American Kennel Club Eukanuba championship dog show, which will be held on December 12th and 13th, 2009 in Long Beach, California. This premier canine event offers two days of conformation, agility, and educational opportunities for the entire family. Round trip coach airfare for two, two nights lodging (one double room), tickets to the event, a show catalogue, and orientation by AKC judges Robert J. Edison and Sophia Kaluzniacki, DVM will be provided to the lucky winners.

    Donated by the American Kennel Club, Robert J. Edison, Sophia Kaluzniacki, DVM, Marriott Corporation and the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum

  8. Desert Museum Palo Verde Tree*

    In celebration of its 30th birthday.we bring back the 'Desert Museum' hybrid Palo Verde! This special hybrid tree was selected and developed in 1979 by Desert Museum Director of Natural History, Dr. Mark Dimmitt. Traits that make it superior to other palo verdes include its fast growth, its lack of thorns, larger leaves, and a long blooming period with large, bright yellow flowers. This large 36" boxed tree will quickly supply wonderful light shade and weeks of warm-weather blooms!

    Donated and delivered by AAA Landscaping.

    Photos © Dr. Mark Dimmitt

  9. An Arizona Inn Getaway in the Greenway Private Residence with an Evening Cocktail Party provided by the Inn

    Escape for a weekend at the Arizona Inn's Greenway House, the house originally built by Isabella Greenway as her private residence, and now included in the Inn's rental inventory. The weekend includes a private cocktail party for 40-50 people hosted by the Inn with complimentary drinks, deluxe hors d'oeuvres, and the Inn's impeccable butler service. The Desert Museum staff will offer a presentation featuring the Museum's Interpretive Animal Collection if you would like to add them to the party.

    The Greenway House, a double-storied house on Elm Street, at the edge of the Inn's property, was built about a year or so before the Inn, in 1928, as Isabella Greenway's home. It has approximately 6000 square feet of living space, with five bedrooms and suites and five and one-half bathrooms. The house, with its large sociable interior spaces, is perfect for a family group or group of friends. There is a living room with a wood-burning fireplace, a large kitchen where a buffet breakfast is set up each morning by Inn staff, and an open-ceilinged dining room with surrounding balconies and a table seating twelve guests. On the ground floor, French doors open onto a lawn surrounded by mature trees and a large brick terrace bordering a heated pool. On the second story, an outdoor balcony overlooks the garden. In the evening, the shrubbery is lit to enhance the cocktail party and a festive atmosphere.

    To be scheduled at a mutually convenient time for donors, The Arizona Inn, and Animal Collection staff.

    Donated by The Arizona Inn and the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum.

  10. Desert Museum - Party of Choice

    A Desert Gala exclusive with a twist! Enjoy a private party of your choosing, for you and your friends. Want to throw a never-to-be-forgotten party for that special someone? How about a show-stopping birthday party for your granddaughter's next birthday? Or a special treat for your out-of-town friends? Choose from:

    1. A Children's Halloween Party for up to 10 children complete with pizza, beverages, party favors, birthday cake and critters in the Desert Museum's Cave. Did you say bat cave? We'll provide the location, the food and the spooky entertainment; you just have to send out the invitations.

    2. An Overnight Stay for four in the Desert Museum's guesthouse. Includes a twilight tour of the Museum's grounds with Craig Ivanyi, Associate Executive Director of Living Collections & Exhibits, a sunset gourmet dinner for four on the Museum's Overlook. Settle into your guest quarters for the night and awake to a wonderful breakfast and a behind-the-scenes tour of your choice from one of the Museum's Curators.

    3. Cocktails and hors d'oeuvres for ten guests in the Earth Sciences Cave and a behind-the-scenes tour of the Museum's Mineral Vault by Debra Colodner, Assistant Director of the Center for Sonoran Desert Studies.

    We'll do the work, you just show up and let us pamper you Desert Museum style!

* Indicates that a nominal delivery fee has been included in the minimum bid price.

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