Taco Bell’s Art Sell-Off to Be Grande Supreme

Beginning Friday, Taco Bell Corp. will be selling most of its collection of contemporary American art, acquired over the past decade, to make way for a “restaurant support center” documenting the company’s history, products, employees and customers.

“Our sole purpose is to support our restaurants,” says Taco Bell spokeswoman Laurie Gannon. “Everything we do is for them and about them. So in order to exemplify that culture . . . we’ve transformed our offices here.”

As a result, more than 200 paintings, sculptures, photographs and other works by such prominent artists as Berenice Abbott, Larry Bell, Morris Graves, Elizabeth Murray and Joel Shapiro will be sold by two private art consultants in the company’s second floor lobby at 17901 Von Karman Ave.

Prices start at $450 and top out at $15,000 to $20,000 for large pieces, including works by sculptor John Buck and painters Carlos Almaraz and Patricia Tobacco Forrester. Friday sale hours are 4 to 7 p.m.; Saturday hours are 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Showings thereafter are by appointment. For more information: Jeannie Denholm at Art Matters: (714) 376-5254; or Miriam L. Smith at Art Resource Group: (714) 497-8282.