Brunk Auctions, one of the nation’s premier auction houses, has announced the opening of their Nashville, Tennessee office.
They have hired Sarah Sperling, a Nashville native with over 15 years of auction and fine art experience, to oversee this new regional division. Sarah is a graduate of the University School of Nashville and went on to receive a master’s degree from Parsons School of Design. She will oversee all Nashville-area operations including valuations, estate planning, the coordination of private sales, and sales at auction. “Sarah is the perfect addition,” Andrew Brunk, President of Brunk Auctions said, “as we continue to grow our business, we want to represent Nashville area families and museums looking to buy or sell everything from jewelry to silver, from furniture to Old Masters and Modern paintings.”
Headquartered in Asheville for over 30 years, Brunk Auctions intends to hold live auctions in Nashville as a strong addition to the bi-monthly sales they hold in their North Carolina saleroom. Their auctions routinely achieve record-breaking prices for known artists and makers. A typical auction might be attended by hundreds of live bidders, dozens of phone bidders and thousands of online bidders – often representing over 60 countries. Because they have been early adopters of new online bidding technologies, Brunk Auctions has the reach of a global market similar to a New York auction house combined with the tailored, individual attention of a smaller regional business.
Sarah began working in New York in 2002, first for Sotheby’s auction house and then for Christie’s where she, Andrew and his wife, Lauren, were colleagues. Sarah went on to work for Leigh Keno American Antiques, Keno Auctions and Mallett Antiques, before returning to Nashville nearly two years ago. “We have remained in touch over the years,” says Lauren Brunk, VP of Brunk Auctions, “but it was not until Sarah returned to Nashville from New York that we finally found the right fit to lead the Nashville office. We know Sarah will bring the professionalism, connoisseurship and personal attention that a market like Nashville demands.”
Brunk Auctions has handled property of a number of prominent American families including the Dukes and Rockefellers as well as Nashville locals, Dr. and Mrs. Benjamin Caldwell and Dr. and Mrs. Laurence Grossman. Brunk Auctions has represented numerous museums and galleries at auction and with private sales, including de-accessioned items from museum collections. “We want to continue to build strong relationships not only with individuals, but with institutions and museums across the mid-South.” Andrew Brunk said.
“I have spent the majority of my career working in this field,” Sperling said, “and it is wonderful to bring that experience and my passion back to my hometown. I am thrilled to be part of the Brunk Auctions team and excited to be setting the Nashville office in motion.”
Contact:
Sarah Sperling
615.981.3310
sarah@brunkauctions.com
