Pioneer Works hosted its annual Village Fête, raising over $1.4 million in support of its free, interdisciplinary programming. The evening brought together artists, musicians, and cultural leaders for a night of “cosmic revelry” across the organization’s Red Hook campus.
The event was hosted by a committee including Darren Aronofsky and Esther Perel; the fête welcomed a cross-section of the art world and beyond.
Notable attendees included Chloë Sevigny, Anne Pasternak, Fab Five Freddy, Cynthia Rowley, Marlon James, Emma Bloomberg, Anthony Casalena, Zainab Salbi, Anu Duggal, and Duke Riley, among others.
Activating all three floors of the former iron works building—including the garden and rooftop—the fête unfolded as a multi-sensory experience, with performances, installations, and late-night programming.
The evening featured performances by Sun Ra Arkestra, led by Marshall Allen, alongside Yasmin Williams, James Murphy & Pat Mahoney (LCD Soundsystem), and Dorit Chrysler. Guests moved between spaces hosting exhibitions, activations, and informal gatherings, culminating in a late-night afterparty with DJ sets and immersive installations.
Dinner was served by Norberto Piattoni in collaboration with Sandy Ho, Lu Arjol, Hugo Heinz, and the team behind Bar Tartine, with beverages provided by Threes Brewing and Fort Hamilton. An open kitchen in the garden—with meat roasted over an open fire—and family-style service anchored the evening’s communal atmosphere.
The evening’s program kicked off with a standing ovation for 101-year-old Marshall Allen of Sun Ra Arkestra, followed by remarks from Founding Artistic Director Gabriel Florenz, who described Pioneer Works as a “sanctuary from the noise outside.” The evening proceeded with a live auction and a paddle raise led by Phyllis Kao of Sotheby’s, underscoring the night’s philanthropic impact, with works by artists including Baseera Khan, Dustin Yellin, and Duke Riley drawing competitive bids, and supporters contributing across tiers to fund artist residencies, performances, education programs, and interdisciplinary science initiatives.
Throughout the evening, guests engaged with exhibitions on view, including works by Jordan Eagles, Khajistan (Saad Khan and Joey Chriqui), and Duke Riley, as well as site-specific activations such as Mahjong Palace, Speed Chess, Human Pony Rides, flash tattoos, a Single Nail Manicure Bar, and artist Joey Frank’s Astral Insights.
Proceeds from the Village Fête support Pioneer Works’ year-round free programs, residencies, exhibitions, and performances, sustaining its mission to provide an open platform for experimentation and collaboration across disciplines.
Image credit: Matt Borkowski/BFA
