Janine Antoni, Nicole Eisenman, Marilyn Minter, Marlene Dumas, Victoria Sambunaris, Carolee Schneemann…these are just a sampling of the artists whose work will be available at auction next Thursday, November 18^th, at P.P.O.W Gallery.

At previous RHMF events, like the annual Lower East Side Art Crawl (above), women took the lead presenting art to its supporters. The Foundation raises all the money it distributes through events such as these.

The auction is part of a program to bring awareness of gender and representation in the visual arts presented by the Rema Hort Mann Foundation. It is no secret that glass ceilings exist in the art world just as they do in the corporate world.

There are notable examples, of course, that indicate real progress: MoMA just launched a major exhibition entitled Pictures by Women: A History of Modern Photography; many women artists such as Louise Bourgeois, Marilyn Minter and Cindy Sherman have achieved commercial and critical successes, influencing a younger generation of artists across all backgrounds; and many of the artists in the 2010 Whitney Biennial and MoMA PS1 Greater New York shows are critically acclaimed women.

And yet, not one of the top 100 highest prices paid for artwork at auction was produced by a woman artist. In fact, there does not appear to be any listing on the internet for "highest price paid for artwork by a woman." Exhibition opportunities, reviews, major awards, sales records, teaching posts, gallery representation and critical success still remain out of reach for many women artists.

Girls Just Want to Have Funds, a contemporary art exhibition of works by women artists, a benefit auction, and panel discussion, aims to focus attention on what the market is missing by overlooking so many talented artists.

Tuesday, November 16, 6:30 pm: Panel discussion with Amy Cappellazzo, Christie's International Co-Head of Post-War and Contemporary Art; Mary Ceruti, Suclpture Center's Director and Chief Curator; Sarah Douglas (moderator) Modern Painters magazine writer; and artists Marilyn Minter and Xaviera Simmons. Open bar reception. RSVP.

Thursday, November 18, 6:30 pm: Benefit auction of over 90 donated artworks by women from around the world. $20 admission. Open bar and Vietnamese food. Works will remain on exhibit at P.P.O.W. Gallery through December 3. RSVP.

Both events take place at P.P.O.W. Gallery, 511 West 25^th Street at 10^th Avenue, 3^rd floor, NY, NY.

Presented by the Rema Hort Mann Foundation; all proceeds from tickets and art sales support the Foundation‘s two independent grant programs for emerging visual artists and travel grants for cancer patients.

If you are interested in volunteering at the event to help install works, register individuals or help during the auction, please contact Quang Bao at 212-966-8444 or send an email to request more info at rhmfoundation@gmail.com.

Editor's note: DART is a media partner of the Rema Hort Mann Foundation. Established in 1995, The RHM Foundation is a NYC-based nonprofit dedicated to providing individual support to visual artists and travel grants to cancer patients undergoing treatment through two independent grant programs.

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