You know you have a problem when you go shopping for something when you have recently purchased examples of that same thing sitting around your house, unopened.  Well, maybe not in the case of food.  But in the case of art, I think I might have this problem.   Last year around this time I blogged about the photo auction season.  I also bought a couple of things, and not all of them have made it into rotation on my walls.  And it’s that time of year again, and I’m making a shopping list.

Last week it was Skinner’s auction of fine wines.  I didn’t get it together to go, and I hope I can find the sale prices online somewhere.  Morbid curiosity, I think.  The $12 screw-cap Bordeaux should fill my needs for now.

This weekend, it’s The DeCordova Museum’s annual benefit and auction.  I’ve never been to this one, and it looks like I’ll miss it again this weekend, but I’ve been having great times at the DeCordova lately so will pay more attention next year.

Coming up on October 11 is The Center for Photography at Woodstock’s Benefit Gala and 30th annual benefit auction.  For the second year in a row, they’re cutting the format back to a smaller sale of much higher-quality work.  I might be priced out, but I’m going anyway.  last year, I scored a beautiful Keith Carter print.

Just two weeks after that, on the 25th – not much time for budget relief – is The Photographic Resource Center’s annual benefit auction.  With almost 200 works in total and 3/4 of that in a silent auction, you can expect some bargains here, but also expect to see some amazing work sold for breathtaking prices.

November 1 brings us ARTcetera at the Boston Center for the Arts, a fundraiser for the AIDS action committee.  Keep an eye on this one, there’s an amazing variety of work – not just photos – on offer.

This is far from an exhaustive list, but it’s what’s on the limeduck radar these days.  I’m very interested to see how these events play out.  Economic uncertainty suggests that people will be bidding timidly, but that also suggests that those with the guts and the cash might get some exceptional bargains.  It’s also possible that some investors will look to art as a better store of value than commodities or equities.  In any case, it’s a great way to buy local and get a unique gift for yourself or a loved one.