Last night, a selection of NYC’s young professionals, art patrons, and artists entered the “Realms of the Unreal,” Young Folk’s annual benefit party. The surreal soiree took place at Madame X in Soho with specialty house cocktails inspired by the works of outsider artist Henry Darger. The intimate upstairs lounge was illuminated by Jennifer Reiland’s video installation, “The Arena,” selected by Young Folk’s Leadership Committee as the winner of their annual art commission.
DJ James Mulry kept the beats going all night, while downstairs guests enjoyed salon-style Polaroid portraits by Brooklyn Film Camera. The event raised funds for the American Folk Art Museum, helping to keep this unique institution completely free and open to the public in the heart of Lincoln Square.
Lansing Moore, Co-Chair of Young Folk, told Art Zealous, “The American Folk Art Museum explores America’s heritage and identity through the works of self-taught artists from every era. As the official young supporters of the Museum, we at Young Folk take it upon ourselves to create unique experiences through our events to connect NYC’s art world, and especially its young connoisseurs, with the rich variety of these works. Allowing America to speak for itself through artistic voices from every corner of the country and its history has never been more important. Appreciating folk and outsider art means seeking it out, so we challenge ourselves to make each party unique and adventurous in that spirit.”
Young Folk is the official young supporters group of the American Folk Art Museum. Through dynamic social-educational programs, like intimate private collection and studio visits, as well as creative, blow-out parties and engaging social media, Young Folk provides a community for exploration of traditional and contemporary folk, self-taught, and outsider art. It is redefining the way in which twenty-and-thirty-somethings engage with art and museums through its low membership fee and out-of-the-box programming.
View full gallery. To get involved, click here.
all photos // Steve Smith for Art Zealous
