On Monday, April 9, 2018, a host of notable movers and shakers from the art, fashion, media and business worlds descended upon the New York Academy of Art‘s historic building at 111 Franklin Street for their 23rd annual Tribeca Ball. The stars were literally out in full force, and we don’t just mean Naomi Watts or Brooke Shields who both were in attendance. The theme, ‘Poetic Astronomy’ had partygoers in ‘celestial chic’ alongside interactive installations, live art-making demonstrations, roaming musicians, celestial fairies handing out chocolate covered pretzels, poets and fortune tellers. Inspired by Van Cleef & Arpels timepieces, the Ball immersed guests in the starry world with stilt walkers attired as constellations and an exclusive dinner from renowned chef Daniel Boulud served under a dazzling midnight sky. Bars on every level were stocked with Champagne Jeeper, Proximo Spirits, and VOSS Artesian Water.
One of our favorite events of the year, the Ball consisted of a sit-down dinner peppered with fundraising efforts and a walk-through of five floors of open studios filled with work by the Academy’s talented students. Over 900 guests celebrated the Academy and artist Mickalene Thomas who was honored by Academy President David Kratz for her outstanding body of work. In her honor, the Academy created the Mickalene Thomas Scholarship and during dinner, with the help of Sotheby’s auctioneer Joe Dunning, the Academy raised $91,000 for the scholarship in a spontaneous auction. In total, the evening raised over $825,000 to support the Academy’s scholarships and public programming.
Guests included Alain Bernard, Mary Boone, Will Cotton, Billy Crudup, KAWS, Julianne Moore, Mark Ruffalo, Tschabalala Self, Cindy Sherman, Brooke Shields, Naomi Watts, Laurie Simmons, Bosco Sodi, Mickalene Thomas & Racquel Chevremont and Hank Willis Thomas.
As the night winded down, guests headed over Tribeca hotspot (and one of our favorite Italian restaurants) Tutto il Giorno, hosted by Academy patron Gabby Karan de Felice.
all images// courtesy of BFA.com + NYAA
