If you found yourself on Park Avenue Wednesday night wondering why passersby looked ready for Gstaad, you must have missed the memo. For its 15th annual gala, the Art Production Fund leaned all the way in—transforming the Seagram Building into a high-gloss ski chalet fantasy, while quietly pulling off its most important feat of the night: raising over $1 million for public art. During remarks, the organization’s Executive Director Casey Fremont visualized this number’s impact, describing how “artists’ voices are more important than ever, and public art holds a unique power: it meets people where they are, woven into the rhythm of everyday life, free from entry barriers, often reaching those who may not seek it out but are moved by its presence.”
The Locale: Cocktails kicked off inside the Grill, where a penny press by artist Kelly Wall and an ice bar carved by Okamoto Studio set the tone (featuring skinny cigarettes, Absolut Tabasco vodka, and Art Production Fund-branded lighters). Clé de Peau Beauté goodies from Amazon Luxury were available for guests in the downstairs ladies lounge.
The Entertainment: Dinner blurred into performance when Amanda Ross-Ho, took over proceedings with her rendition of Untitled Figure (REPRISE)—choreographed with ice skating in the middle of a dining room. Later, the Polar Bears spun early-aughts hits, and before long, the whole room was on its feet.
The Crowd: A downtown-meets-uptown assortment of cultural mainstays local and in-town from Los Angeles, Milan, London, St. Louis, Miami, and Minneapolis were present, including artists Derrick Adams, Mickalene Thomas, Sanford Biggers, and Marilyn Minter; dealer Hannah Traore; actor Waris Ahluwalia; patrons Nicky Hilton Rothschild, Yvonne Force Villareal, and Sarah Hoover; political commentator and author Huma Abedin; creative director Athena Calderone; editor Samira Nasr; style tastemaker Tina Leung; designers Cynthia Rowley, Anna Sui, Sergio Hudson, and Raul Lopez; NBA commissioner Adam Silver; and author Elaine Welteroth.
Food and Drink: Fondue and schnitzel were key menu items, ensuring the alpine theme extended to the plate. The liquid throughline? Vodka.
Memorable Moment: Just when affairs threatened to get too polished, waiters in Moncler puffers and hats appeared with Absolut-filled shotskis—one per table. It was chaotic, communal, and a whimsical close to the evening, which also included proprietary goodie bags. Each guest went home with a custom sweatshirt and ski pass.
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