Atlanta collector Robert Hollister’s vast art holdings available for bid

An autographed poster of dancer Mikhail Baryshnikov is one of more than 200 items available to buy.

An autographed poster of dancer Mikhail Baryshnikov is one of more than 200 items available to buy.

Online bids are being accepted for a huge collection of artwork, antiques, furniture and collectibles owned by Atlantan Robert Hollister, a big supporter of the arts.

More than 200 items are on sale from the estate of Hollister, who for decades served as the National Endowment for the Arts’ regional representative for the Gulf and Mid-Atlantic states and was the former performing arts director of the Southern Arts Federation.

The auction though Everything But The House (EBTH),  is open until 8 p.m. Friday.

Items include an autographed poster of Mikhail Baryshnikov, a Lonnie Leonard oil painting of a seascape and a bronze mercury sculpture of the god Mercury.

Hollister lived in Atlanta for more than four decades. He died on Sept. 29, 2016 at age 71.

RELATED: Robert Hollister’s obituary and online guestbook

“Art, in general, was his passion in life,” said a younger brother, Craig Hollister, who lives in Florida. “He found beauty in almost everything he saw. He loved the Atlanta Botanical Gardens, the High Museum of Art. He was especially fond of the Beltway.”

Craig Hollister said he brother had so much art in his Midtown home – antiques paintings and collectibles – that it was like a museum.

In addition to the EBTH auction, Hollister said, that another auction may be held later. Other items will likely be donated to museums and the city of Atlanta.

“He just wanted everyone to feel his passion,” Hollister said.