The Whitney Museum of American Art held its annual Whitney Art Party to celebrate art lovers and supporters of the museum. Sponsored this year by Max Mara, the Art Party is hosted annually by the Whitney Contemporaries, a group of young leaders and arts patrons, who play an active role in fulfilling the Whitney’s critical mission of supporting American art. This was the first Whitney Art Party (and the first patron party of any kind) held at the Whitney’s new home at the acclaimed Renzo Piano building in Manhattan’s Meatpacking District.
Proceeds from ticket sales support the Whitney’s educational initiatives, including the Independent Study Program (ISP), one of the country's leading post-graduate programs in studio art, as well as curatorial and critical studies. The event began with the preview of Whitney exhibition artists Rachel Rose and Jared Madere. Madere presented a popup of his mobile gallery Bed Stuy Love Affair, which is situated outside the Whitney for two days only. Artists on view include Jake Cruzen, Joseph Geagan, Valerie Keane, and Veit Laurent Kurz.
The evening featured performances by Ignabu and Don Christian, and entertainment from DJ Boody and Harley Viera-Newton.