On Saturday, October 18, 2014, the Ogden Museum of Southern Art will host its annual “O What A Night!” fundraising gala.

The evening’s activities begin at 6 p.m. with a silent auction put on by New Orleans Auction Galleries. Bidders will be able to enjoy specialty cocktails by Sazerac and hors d’oeuvres by Chef Justin Devillier of La Petite Grocery while they peruse the works of Raine Bedsole, Martin Benson, Vidal Blankenstein, and dozens of other southern talents.

The dinner menu will be devised by nationally-renowned Chef Donald Link, whose New Orleans restaurants emphasize regional recipes and locally sourced, sustainable ingredients.

The fiery “Mad-Hatter of Charity Auctions” CK Swett will preside over the live auction, featuring artwork by such notables as John Alexander, William Andrews, Thornton Dial, Michael J. Deas, William Dunlap, Lin Emery, Margaret Evangeline, Skylar Fein, Pinkney Herbert, Ida Kohlmeyer, Hunt Slonem, Allison Stewart, James Surls, and Robert Warrens.

Other prizes on the block will include a vintage red Miata convertible – gifted to actor John Goodman by Steven Spielberg – and an exclusive-access pass to a New Orleans Saints home game.

Proceeds from the gala, chaired by Karen Solomon and Katy Weil and held in honor of philanthropist and museum trustee William Goldring Jr., will go to exhibition, education, and outreach programs.