The Whitney

For the American Art Award gala, the Whitney Museum of American Art's event team and designer Ron Wendt drew inspiration from the night's honorees to come up with the Pop Art theme. Tablecloths in primary colors echoed Roy Lichtenstein's work.

Rather than flowers for the American Art Award gala's tabletop centerpieces, Wendt recreated one of Lichtenstein's paintings. The sculptural pieces included fruit and bowls covered in tin foil.

Approximately 400 guests attended the seated dinner for the Whitney's American Art Award this year. A wall on one side of the space held the items created for the following night's Art Party, allowing gala guests to preview the pieces.

Wendt intentionally left one of the venue's walls bare, allowing for projections. The first night guests watched a documentary on artists Roy Lichtenstein and Andy Warhol.

Silver mylar balloons were used as decor both nights, matching the Pop Art aesthetic of the first night and the more playful vibe of the second.

At the Art Party, tin foil remained on the walls, but the dinner tables and chairs were cleared out to make room for the bars and more lounge-style seating. And with the American Art Award's colorful tablecloths and sculptural centerpieces removed, the venue's color scheme was changed to a silver-and-white look.

The open layout of the Art Party not only provided room for a larger number of guests, but matched the event's more mingle-focused identity.

Mid-century modern furniture formed lounge areas for the Whitney's Art Party. Wendt sourced the items from a collector, aspiring to match event sponsor Max Mara's aesthetic and give the venue a different look.

A wall displaying the items up for auction become the focal point of the Art Party, with much of the space around it cleared so guests could browse the pieces.

Online platform Artsy hosted the silent auction for the Whitney's Art Party; guests could make bids at one of several kiosks set up around Highline Stages or via an iPhone app.

The projection wall was used to display a live feed of the silent auction, showing the items and their current bids as well as flashing bright purple whenever a new bid was made.