Free Arts NYC held its 17th Annual Art Auction to benefit the organization’s educational arts mentoring programs for underserved youth and families. The event was hosted by Richard Prince and honored the legendary Glenn O’Brien.
The evening began with a silent auction and cocktails with food by Casa Lever, The Fat Radish, Felice and Sant Ambroeus and drinks courtesy of Don Julio and Ketel One. A live auction was then led by Paddle8’s Alexander Gilkes. Tony Shafrazi picked up a piece by Richard Prince while there was a bidding war over a Jonas Wood work which went for $57,000. After a Perrier-Jouet toast, guests enjoyed a seated dinner presented by Fendi with floral arrangements by L’Olivier.
In addition to designing the step & repeat wall, Andre Saraiva made a special edition numbered and signed keepsake for each dinner guest while Damien Florbert Cuypers created 2 minute illustrated portraits of attendees. Guests such as Hilary Rhoda had their portrait taken onsite by Sante D’Orazio with a 20x24 Polaroid camera -only 3 cameras like this are left in the world. The evening featured a performance by The Onyx Collective while DJ Graham spun tunes throughout the night. On their way out, dinner guests picked up Rizzoli gift bags which included Glenn O’Brien’s book How to Be a Man.
Photo Credit: BFA NYC
