An important collection of fine art belonging to a Scottsdale couple hits the auction block on Friday, November 15 at 11 a.m. MT during the “Prominent Scottsdale Collector Art Auction” at EJ’s Auction & Appraisal, 5880 W. Bell Road, in Glendale, on the northeast corner of 59th Avenue and Bell Road. The auction is a unique collaboration between EJ’s Auction & Appraisal and ArtzLine.com, a private art consultancy group owned by David Wilkinson.
The fine art collection was amassed by Jack and Martha Wolff, who collected art for more than 30 years, often becoming close friends with the artists they collected from. The November 15 auction will feature more than 200 western, landscape, figurative paintings and bronzes by more than a dozen major award-winning, highly-collectible, world-renowned artists.
Wilkinson, a former gallery director, became friends with the couple more than three decades ago, and he often helped them acquire artwork for their collection.
“Jack and Martha were kind, warm and loving people who truly wanted to support artists’ careers. In fact, in all the years I worked as a gallery director, they never asked for a discount when purchasing art…that’s how much they respected the artists and their work,” Wilkinson said, adding that the Wolffs had visitors come from across the country to view their art collection.
Erik Hoyer, CEO of EJ’s Auction & Appraisal, called the valuable collection remarkable, citing the fact that all the work is museum-quality.
“This is an exceptional collection that includes Cowboy Artists of America painter Martin Grelle and outstanding artists, such as Clyde Aspevig, Sherrie McGraw, Cyrus Afsary, R.S. Riddick, Francois Koch, Scott Christensen, Glenna Goodacre, William Whitaker and many other highly-regarded artists,” Hoyer said. “We are honored to represent such a noteworthy collection, and we anticipate several bidding frenzies, both here at our auction house and online.”
The Wolffs were also big art advocates, according to their son, Mike Wolff.
“They donated regularly to Scottsdale Artists’ School and they often purchased art from the students,” Wolff said.
“Dad served for 29 years in the Navy as a pilot and aeronautical engineer. Mom shared his passion for collecting. They had homes in Scottsdale and Prescott filled with fine art,” Wolff recalled. “I think my father enjoyed curating the art and creating a museum-like exhibit in each home. There was fine art from floor to ceiling and from corner to corner, even around lamp shades and light switches.”
The full catalog will be online to view in mid-October. A free preview for the fine art auction is set from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday, November 13 and 14. The auction house opens at 9 a.m. on Friday, November 15 with bidding starting at 11 a.m. Online bidding is also available. For details, visit www.ejsauction.com or call (623) 878-2003.
