NEW YORK—Public Art Fund’s 2024 Party, which took place May 15 at the Metropolitan Pavilion in New York, celebrated its upcoming outdoor exhibition season. As its largest fundraiser of the year, the event supports the organization’s mission of presenting contemporary artworks to the public for free.
“Our exhibitions connect people—in city parks, in bus shelters, and around the city streets. On the night of the party, we brought that same spirit indoors for our guests in order to highlight the importance, energy, and festivity of these collaborative spaces,” explained Stephanie Adams, deputy director of external affairs for Public Art Fund.
Exhibiting artists Clifford Prince King, Edra Soto, and Adrienne Elise Tarver each created interactive artist projects for the event—giving attendees a taste of the Public Art Fund experience.
King designed an immersive portrait studio, allowing guests to step inside a photograph and take home the image as a souvenir of the evening, while Soto created a silk-screen design inspired by the sculpture she will bring to Central Park’s Doris C. Freedman Plaza this fall. Guests were able to silk-screen their own tote bags with this custom design.
And Tarver’s painting “Dark Star” inspired the decor for the party, immersing attendees in vibrant sunset hues. The painting was also featured as part of the tropical dinner tablescape on the menus; it will be on view in Tarver’s upcoming Public Art Fund exhibition, “She Who Sits.”
Following a 350-person seated dinner by Canard, the after-party featured music by DJ KITTYSAYWORD; interactive desserts including colorblocked boozy Jello cubes; and a mini-print vending machine by Ana Inciardi, a Portland, Maine-based printmaker. After inserting quarters into the machine, guests were surprised with custom prints including a Public Art Fund-branded New York taxi, a bus shelter, and other whimsical designs. Guests could also take home a Yinka Shonibare-designed umbrella (provided by Bloomberg Philanthropies), "so that they can enjoy public art exhibitions outdoors whatever the weather," Adams said.
An additional 175 guests attended the after-party. There was also a silent auction, which was accessible online via Artsy, with 37 donated works of art, including paintings, photographs, sculptures, and prints.
VENDORS
Catering: Canard
Entertainment: KITTYSAYWORD
Event Production: Fremont Blue Events
Venue: Metropolitan Pavilion
Video: SandenWolff
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