Lauren Kratzer
Lauren currently serves as National Director of Consignments at Heffel. She is integral to the development and success of Heffel’s bi-annual sales of Post-War and Contemporary Art, and Canadian, Impressionist & Modern Art in Toronto. Lauren liaises with Heffel’s national team to consign important works of Canadian and International art with integrity and transparency.
Lauren has been involved in many important corporate, estate and private sales, including a central role in the sale of Mountain Forms by Lawren Harris for $11.2 million in 2016, the highest price for a Canadian artwork to ever sell at auction. In 2018, she was a key member in the re-discovering of a Tom Thomson painting that later sold through auction for almost half a million dollars. Lauren also works closely with the artwork of Emily Carr and was involved in the re-discovery of a Carr painting from the USA, among other notable Carr public and private sales. Lauren has been involved with significant single consignor sales including Legendary: The Collection of Torben V. Kristiansen and the Collection of Lillian Mayland McKimm.
From 2015 - 2019, Lauren led the online auction platform at Heffel, growing the platform to a $10 million year in 2016. During this time, Lauren also oversaw the development and growth of Heffel’s newest online platform, HO2, which offers corporations and strategic partnerships a tailored and customized sale venue. In the pilot HO2 sales with Exxon Mobil / Imperial Oil Limited, a 98% success rate was achieved and over 2,500 works sold.
Lauren serves on the BC Women’s Hospital Art Collection Committee and has previously contributed to the Audain Art Museum Gala Auction Committee, the Vancouver Chinatown Foundation’s 58 West Hastings Art Project, and the Vancouver Art Gallery Young Associates. She joined Heffel in 2010 and holds a BA in Art History and English Literature from the University of British Columbia and brings experience from both museum and gallery settings.
Outside of Heffel, Lauren is an avid long distance runner, equestrian and a proud supporter of the Alzheimer’s Society of British Columbia.