The Missoula Art Museum's 44th annual Benefit Art Auction brought in a grand total of $142,659 last weekend.
The biggest boost for the nonprofit contemporary art museum came in the form of a matching grant for the planned public art park and plaza on West Pine Street, a joint venture between the MAM, Adventure Cycling and the city of Missoula.
Bidding Auction accepted the challenge, stirred on by a gentleman in a suit jacket, pajama pants and slippers
who stood from his seat and offered $10,000.
He was dressed that way because the auction's theme was "Out of the Box," and attendees were encouraged to wear unconventional dress clothes.
