On Wednesday, April 12, 2018, Free Arts NYC honored legendary Conceptual Artist Lawrence Weiner at the Free Arts NYC Annual Art Auction. Guests descended on the Ukrainian Institute of America—housed in the historic Harry F. Sinclair mansion and were treated to an exhibition of aspiring teenage artists from Free Arts NYC’s Creative Career Exploration, Portfolio Mentorship, and Museum & Studio Visit Programs
Upon entering, guests were greeted with Lawrence Weiner’s text piece, “Learn to Read Art” as they ascended a grand staircase adorned with hanging floral gardens. Attendees enjoyed a live performance by experimental jazz ensemble, Onyx Collective, Winc, Avion Tequila, and Tito’s Vodka cocktails from The Sexton Single Malt Speakeasy, and sipped on Perrier-Jouët Grand Brut champagne.
Fashion and art collided at the auction in the form of fashion label Sacai who supported the evening and whose Spring Summer 2018 collection incorporates Lawrence Weiner’s iconic text art. It took a lot of willpower for us not to steal CNN Anchor Kate Bouldan’s studded Sacai jacket.
Mia Moretti served up the music as guests made their way to the dining room which was covered with Lawrence Weiner’s iconic wall pieces. The tablescapes were also a Lawrence Weiner x Sacai production. As the evening winded down, dinner guests exited with home gift bags filled with Lawrence Weiner coffee table books published by Phaidon, and Lawrence Weiner x Sacai fabric napkins.
Guests included Lawrence Weiner, Liz Hopfan, Chitose Abe, Dianna Agron, Kelly Rutherford, Mia Moretti, Pari Ehsan, Waris Ahluwalia, Kate Bolduan, Alice Weiner, Amy Astley, Stefano Tonchi, Isolde Brielmaier, Anne Huntington, Sukanya Rajaratnam, Josh Reames, and, Olympia Scarry,
All proceeds from the evening benefit Free Arts NYC’s educational arts mentoring programs for underserved youth and families. Learn more here.
Images // BFA: Mike Vitelli/BFA and Max Lakner/BFA
