Founded 30 years ago by Agnes Gund, Studio in a School is a not-for-profit organization with the goal of bringing art into public schools. To highlight this at the anniversary benefit on Monday evening, the Gagosian Gallery essentially became a paint canvas. Thousands of yards of blue, red, and green silk strips crisscrossed the space above the dinner tables like brush strokes, and the canvas coverings of the chairs and tables looked like Jackson Pollock pieces, splashed with paint.
Intended to remind guests of the creativity that comes out of the arts program, the colorful look of the event was reinforced by colored votives that ran down the center of each table.
Designed by Van Wyck & Van Wyck, the event was coordinated by event consultant Kara Minogue and overseen by Gund herself and co-chair Samantha Boardman Rosen.
The night, which honored artist Dorothy Lichtenstein and prominently displayed work from youngsters in the program, raised $1.4 million for the nonprofit's general operating fund. Guests included Mayor Michael Bloomberg, Christo, Jeanne-Claude, Mark di Suvero, Liz Diller, Ric Scofidio, Jeff Koons, and Brice Marden.