 |
| The scene at Fountain Gallery's Mad About Art, the Gallery’s Annual Art Auction and Benefit |
 |
|
|
| On Wednesday evening late last month, the Museum of Arts and Design (MAD) hosted its 2013 Visionaries! Awards Gala celebrating five influential creators and leaders in the art, craft, and design industries, whose work personifies the Museum’s mission to explore and celebrate contemporary creativity across all media. The evening raised nearly $1 million for MAD. The honorees were: Wilfried Vancraen, CEO and Founder of Materialise, an international additive manufacturing company started in Belgium; Frank Stella, legendary painter and printmaker, most noted for his Minimalist, Post-Painterly Abstract works has challenged ideas of abstraction and of painting itself by negating the evidence of brushwork and asserting the flatness of the canvas; Rick Kinsel, Executive Director, The Vilcek Foundation. For more than 10 years, the Vilcek Foundation, under Kinsel's leadership, has been an important philanthropic supporter of the arts and sciences. It is committed to honoring the contributions of immigrants to American society, and has founded several programs recognizing both emerging and established artists and designers; and David and Sybil Yurman, founders of David Yurman jewelers. The Yurmans were honored for their enduring contributions to the world of style internationally. David Yurman, long an innovator in the world of jewelry, will celebrate 30 years in the New Year. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| This year’s Visionaries! Awards also celebrated MAD’s 5th anniversary at 2 Columbus Circle, and the dramatic growth of the institution, looking ahead to an exciting roster of exhibitions and programs for 2013-2014. Since moving in 2008, MAD has welcomed more than a million visitors onsite, tripled its membership and greatly expanded its exhibition and educational offerings. Proceeds from the gala are directed to the support of MAD’s arts education program. This year they expect to serve nearly 10,000 children, grades K-12, and from mostly underserved communities. Each year, more than 500 guests, including arts patrons, artists, designers and noted corporate and civic leaders, attend the event. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| This is a great museum for the little ones and children of all ages. It is the artists’ version of the American Museum of Natural History. Both museums offer exhibitions which arouse the infinite curiosity of fresh and creative minds. MAD does with Art what the AMNH does with nature and its worlds. In the last five years, MAD has expanded its exhibitions program, underscoring contemporary creation and addressing the increasing cross-pollination of contemporary art, design, and craft. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Among this exhibition programming is Out of Hand: Materializing the Postdigital, opening this fall and including work by Frank Stella and from Materialise, as well as the Materials and Process series, which investigates how artists and craftspeople transform and approach specific materials as traditional as paper in Slash: Paper Under the Knife (2009),and wood in Against the Grain: Wood in Contemporary Art, Craft and Design (2013) to more unconventional ones such as everyday objects in Second Lives: Remixing the Ordinary (2008) and organic materials that were once part of living things in Dead or Alive: Nature Becomes Art (2010). In that span of time, MAD has expanded its focus with the presentation of exhibitions that are international in scope—such as The Global Africa Project (2010) and the upcoming New Territories: Global Latin America (2014). |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| On Monday, December 2, 2013, more than 500 guests were in attendance as Roger Hertog and General David Petraeus were presented with the New-York Historical Society’s distinguished 2013 History Makers Awards at The Pierre during the annual History Makers Gala. The theme of the evening was Strategic Leadership and Vision. The $3.1 million raised will benefit the programs of the New-York Historical Society, including major exhibitions and educational programs on American history. According to Dr. Louise Mirrer, President and CEO of the New-York Historical Society: “We are pleased to present Roger Hertog with our History Makers Award. Mr. Hertog’s dedication to the power of ideas and the telling of the American story has left its mark on every nook and cranny of our institution. We are grateful that he agreed to accept this honor. We are also pleased to recognize General Petraeus for his groundbreaking work in Iraq, his dynamic approach to counterinsurgency, his advocacy of a comprehensive civil-military approach, and his encouragement of strategies that resolve problems through political processes rather than violence.” |
|
|
|
 |
| General David Petraeus, Louise Mirrer, and Roger Hertog |
|
|
|
| Dr. Mirrer announced the establishment of Roger Hertog-General David Petraeus Lecture in Leadership and an annual New-York Historical Society/City University of New York Internship awarded to a student who exemplifies a commitment to excellence. Notable guests included Helen and Robert Appel, Judy and Howard Berkowitz, Beth Dater, Kathy Doyle and Richard Ravitch, Patricia Dunnington, Lon and Hannah Jacobs, Patricia Kavanagh and Jim Grant, Ruth and Sid Lapidus, Tink Leefmans and Ernest Tollerson, Glen and Cheryl Lewy, Tarky Lombardi Jr., Cordelia and Carl Menges, Nancy and Morris Offit, Helen and Russell Pennoyer, Happy Rockefeller, Michelle Smith, Robert A.M. Stern, and Judy Zankel. |
|
|
|
 |
| Pam Schafler, Roger Hertog, and Louise Mirrer |
|
|
|
| Dinner Chairs: Helen and Robert Appel, Lois Chiles and Richard Gilder, Diana and Joe DiMenna, The Lauder Foundation, and Irene and Bernard L. Schwartz. Gala Co-Chairs: Norman Benzaquen, Franci J. Blassberg and Joseph L. Rice III, Len Blavatnik, Beth and Ravenel B. Curry III, Elizabeth B. Dater and Wm. Mitchell Jennings, Jr., Barbara and Richard Debs, Ahuva and Martin J. Gross, Helen and Edward Hintz, Patricia and John Klingenstein, Paula and Tom McInerney, Jennifer and John Monsky, Karen and Charles Phillips, Bonnie and Richard Reiss, Jr., Pam and Scott Schafler, Paul Singer, Sue Ann Weinberg, Leah and Michael Weisberg, and Anita and Byron Wien. |
|
|
|
 |
| Susan Hertog, General David Petraeus, and Allison Hertog Schachner |
 |
| Patricia Kavanagh and Jim Grant |
 |
| Happy Rockefeller, Henry Kissinger, General David Petraeus, and Pam Schafler |
 |
| Roger Hertog with Henry and Nancy Kissinger |
|
|
 |
| General Petraeus with students from CUNY's Macaulay Honors College |
 |
| Ernest Tollerson, Tink Leefmans, and Harold and Edith Holzer |
 |
| Laurie Tisch and Pam Sanders |
 |
| Barbara Zalaznick, David Hidalgo, and Michelle Smith |
|
|
| On the third Thursday evening of November, Fountain Gallery hosted 500 guests at Mad About Art, the Gallery’s Annual Art Auction and Benefit. Held at Cedar Lake in Manhattan’s Chelsea gallery district, this year’s event was “A Black and White Affair” in theme and décor. The guests were attired in the same striking palette, which set off to dramatic effect the dazzling array of 100 multi-hued artworks offered at auction by the artists of Fountain Gallery, the premier venue in New York City representing artists living with mental illness. Art sales topped those of any previous Fountain Gallery event. |
|
|
|
 |
|
|
|
| Welcoming remarks by Fountain Gallery Director Jason Bowman were followed by presentation of the Esther Montanez Award, established in memory of Fountain Gallery’s founding director. This year’s recipients were: Bart McDade– Vice President, Director of Operations,NY, Newmark Grubb Knight Frank; and Faith Ringgold– artist, author and activist. Ms. Ringgold, known for her painted story quilts and the much-honored children’s book Tar Beach, contributed one of her original pieces to the auction. Also donating works for auction were William Wegman, a past Fountain Gallery honoree perhaps best known for pieces spotlighting his soulful Weimaraner dogs; MJ Levy Dickson, who expresses in a variety of mediums the unity she finds in the natural world; and Federico Castelluccio, a renowned visual artist and actor recognized by countless television viewers for his role as Furio Giunta in the HBO series “The Sopranos.” |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Seven-time Grammy Award nominee Suzanne Vega was the special musical guest. She held her audience rapt with voice and guitar, performing songs ranging from familiar to yet-to-be-released. (Ms. Vega’s eighth album, her first studio recording of new material in seven years, is scheduled for release in February.) The electronic art auction, curated by Sasha Nicholas, hummed along throughout the evening. Guests moved about the elegant and vast space, festooned with large artworks hung high and smaller-scale pieces presented in eye-level gallery style. While quaffing cocktails and sampling delicacies (including postprandial black-and-white cookies and cupcakes), guests were assisted in placing bids by a band of “Bidding Valets” identified by the illuminated hats they donned for the occasion. |
|
|
|
 |
| Suzanne Vega |
|
|
|
| The dedicated Chairs whose efforts were key to the evening’s success were: John P. Casaly, Rick Froio, Carmel and Brett Fromson, Dario Gristina, Leslie Harwood, Rich Hiler, Louis J. Mantia, Bonnie and Frank Pratt, Jerry Schumm,and Gabriel Stefania. Ms. Harwood and Messrs. Froio, Gristina and Schumm are past Fountain Gallery honorees. Attendees included: John Ambrosini, Jason Bowman and Chris Adasiewicz, Federico Castelluccio and Yvonne Maria Schaefer, Harriet and Richard Demato, Peter DiCapua, Nancy Farrell, Elizabeth Fiore, Lorna Hyde Graev, Jeremy Hu, Guinevere Johnson and Jason Rohlf, Emmanuel Lemakis, Frank Maresca, Todd Masters, Bentley Meeker, Amanda Meigher, Sasha Nicholas and Steven Caputo, Pauline Nicholls and Kenn Dudek, Mary Pontillo, Ann and John Pyne, Elizabeth Pyne, Betsy Seidman, Sue Stoffel, and Ronnie Wiener. |
|
|
|
 |
| Honoree Bart McDade |
|
|
|
| Founded by parent organization Fountain House in 2000 as a not-for-profit exhibition space for artists living and working with mental illness, Fountain Gallery sells original artworks and collaborates with a wide network of artists, curators and cultural institutions. Embracing artists who are emerging or established, trained or self-taught, Fountain Gallery cultivates artistic growth and makes a vital contribution to the New York arts community. For more information about Fountain Gallery, please visit: www.fountaingallerynyc.com. |
|
|
|
 |
| Martin Crook, Guinevere Johnson, and Jason Rohlf |
 |
| Carol Farris, Penelope Farris, Ellen Fine, Lynn Frielinghaus, and Judy Steinberg |
|
|
 |
| Christine Morena and Lee Bryant |
|
|
 |
| Fountain Gallery artist Mercedes Kelly |
|
|
 |
| Sasha Nicholas, Steven Caputo, and Jason Bowman |
 |
| Susan and David Schwartz, and Ann Rothschild |
 |
| Carol Farris, Takayo Ishikawa, and Susan Hartley-Coll |
|
|
 |
| Louise M. Parent and John P. Casaly |
|
|
 |
| Fountain Gallery artist Gail Shamchenko |
 |
| Dawn Reinholtz, Rick Froio, Joe Primiano, and Jessica Randazza |
 |
| Fountain Gallery artist Anthony Newton |
 |
| Fountain House President Kenn Dudek, Honorees Faith Ringgold and Bart McDade, and Fountain Gallery Director Jason Bowman |
|
|
 |
| Suzanne Vega |
|
|
| This past Tuesday night at Stella McCartney's flagship store in SoHo, Liv Tyler celebrated the launch of her new book,"Modern Manners: Tips to Take You to the Top," which she co-wrote with her beautiful grandmother Dorothea Johnson. Carolers greeted guests with joyful singing outside the holiday-decorated SoHo shop. Among the many guests were Man Repeller's Leandra Medine, Charlotte Ronson,Elle Magazine Creative Director Joe Zee, Hanneli Mustaparta, Andrew Saffir, Daniel Benedict, and President of Neiman Marcus Jim Gold; all sipping on Beluga Noble Russian Vodka rosemary cocktails. Liv, as always, was her gracious self taking plenty of iPhone selfies with fans and friends. |
|
|
|
 |
| Liv Tyler with her grandmother and co-author Dorothea Johnson |
|
|
 |
| Liv Tyler takes a break between book signings and sings a few holiday favorites with the carolers |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| The Neuberger Museum of Art of Purchase College, SUNY celebrated its Ruby Anniversary – 40 years of great art and education – at the Museum, which opened in 1974 with a donation of 108 works of 20th century American art from financier Roy R. Neuberger, founding patron. Today, the museum’s permanent collection contains more than 6,000 works of African, Latin American, modern and contemporary art. The Neuberger Museum of Art is considered a teaching and learning museum for the twenty-first century that nurtures and supports the needs and aspirations of current and future generations. At “Celebrating 40 Years,” a hugely festive event that drew close to 300 people, the Museum honored three outstanding individuals for their contributions to the community: Agnes Gund, noted philanthropist, modern and contemporary art collector, and civic leader, who received the Passionate Collector Award; William M. Mooney, Jr., former banking executive and current president of The Westchester County Association, the Passionate Civic Leader Award; and Lynn Straus, pioneer in early childhood education, the Passionate Educator Award. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| "Celebrating 40 Years" was chaired by Susan and James Dubin of Harrison and Manhattan; Lynn and Martin Halbfinger of Manhattan; and Helen Stambler Neuberger and Jim Neuberger of Manhattan and Cortlandt Manor. There were cocktails, a silent auction, followed at 8 p.m. by dinner, then dancing in the Ruby Lounge. All proceeds from Celebrating 40 Years support the Neuberger Museum’s 40th Anniversary exhibitions and educational programs. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Photographs by Annie Watt (MAD); Saskia Kahn (Fountain Gallery). |