The 25th annual ARTWALK NY, New York’s premiere charity art auction, took place on November 18th at Spring Studios to benefit the Coalition for the Homeless. The evening celebrated the role of “artist-as-activist” in an effort to raise awareness about the issues of homelessness, poverty and social injustice. ARTWALK NY was presented this year by the esteemed Italian fashion house Max Mara and honored the artistic achievements of Katherine Bernhardt, generous philanthropic support of Michael Platt and chaired by Maria Giulia Maramotti. The event was marked by one of the strongest attendances ever, with over 700 guests coming together to support the Coalition for the Homeless in their ongoing fight for proven, humane and cost-effective solutions to mass homelessness.
“The remarkable turnout and high energy crowd made this a hugely successful event,” said David Giffen, Executive Director of Coalition for the Homeless. “It was really moving to see so many compassionate New Yorkers come out to support our homeless neighbors.”
The charity auction saw every lot in the live auction sold. Notable highlights included the sale of Ed Ruscha’s “Says I, To Myself” for $98,000. In addition, Bernhardt partnered with Prospect to created 150, limited edition dinner plates featuring Bernhardt’s iconic work The Acrobatic Dance. The plates were made specifically for the event and sold for $150 each. 20 Katherine Bernhardt hand signed plates were also auctioned off in the live auction for $1,000 each. The plates sold out within the first hour of the event. The proceeds from the plate sales supports the Coalition’s mobile soup kitchen. Each plate purchased provides hot meals to 75 homeless New Yorkers.
In addition, Debi Mazer, Younger and Entourage star,took the live auction stage and told tales of eviction involving pots and pans in a box and pictures of broken up families and regaled the audience with tales of the taking the subway in her years as a native New Yorker. “Guys stretched out, women not waking up…”she said. “The truth of the matter is that homeless is a big problem in NYC right now.” She told of a 1981 The Deuce-like era of hookers and diners, encouraging the crowd to donate from $5-5000 “I don’t judge, I’ve had broken pockets in my time,” said the actress.
Guests Dressed by Max Mara:
Maria Giulia Maramotti, Debi Mazar, Mia Moretti, Elle Dee, Tali Lennox, Theodora Richards, Zoe Buckman, Sofia Resing, Shari Loeffler, Sarah Stein-Sapir, Valerie Boster Maucalay, Sarah Arison, Toby Milstein, Sheree Hovsepian, Marlies Verhoeven, Pari Ehsan, Casey Fremont, Austin Fremont, Anne Huntington and Jacquelyn Jablonski
Additional Notable Guests in Attendance Included:
Auctioneer Aileen Agopian, TK Wonder, Michelle Hellman, Vincent & Shelly Fremont, Carolyn Angel, Lara Cocken, Natalie Kates, Vajra Kingsley, Suzanne Siano, Polina Proshkina, Louise Fishman, Oliver Clegg, Sophie Elgort, Curtis Kulig, Shantell Martin, Kathleen Lynch, Nazy Nazhand, Glenn Ligon, Walter Robinson, Batsheva Hay, Aminatou Sow, Eli Zabar, Will Cotton, Rose Dergan, Deb Kass, Larry Milstein, Tripoli Patterson, Joseph LaPiana, Jessica Lichtenstein, Sean Mellyn, Landon Metz, Laure Currie, Joey Jalleo, Kayla Kaull, Brian Belott, Anna Furney and Al Freeman.
The Coalition for the Homeless extend their thanks and gratitude to all of their sponsors including Max Mara, Artsy, Crozier Fine Arts, and Spring Studios. Food Sponsorship was generously provided by Claudette, Colonia Verde, Indochine, Cafe Luxembourg, Wild Ink, Jay’s Brooklyn, Cafeteria and Houseman. Beverages were provided by Tito’s Handmade Vodka, Hendrick’s Gin, Milagro Tequila, Flor de Cana Rum and Anheuser-Busch.
ABOUT ARTWALK NY
THE CAUSE
Tonight, nearly 62,000 New Yorkers, including 22,000 children, will sleep in NYC homeless shelters. Thousands more will bed down in doorways, subways and other public places in a daily struggle for survival. Each year, ARTWALK NY raises critical funds to support the Coalition’s 11 lifesaving programs that provide emergency food and clothing, eviction prevention, crisis services, permanent housing, job training and programs for youth to 3,500 homeless and at-risk men, women and children each day. The event also helps raise awareness about the homelessness crisis and the Coalition’s ongoing fight for the proven, humane and cost-effective solutions that will end mass homelessness.
The Coalition for the Homeless is the nation’s oldest advocacy and direct service organization helping homeless men, women and children. We believe that affordable housing, sufficient food and the chance to work for a living wage are fundamental rights in a civilized society. Since our inception in 1981, the Coalition has worked through litigation, public education and direct services to ensure that these goals are realized, and in that time we have given more than one million homeless New Yorkers a way off the streets.
MAX MARA, founded in 1951 by the late visionary Achille Maramotti, epitomizes Italian luxury and style. A modern collection of ready-to-wear and accessories for the confident woman, Max Mara is the premier offering within the Max Mara Fashion group consisting of sophisticated silhouettes and couture details achieved through masterful design. Recognized for its timeless sensibility and constructed from the most luxurious fabrics, Max Mara is revered for the classification of the coat, sharp suiting and elegant accessories. Max Mara is available in 2,600 locations in more than 100 countries worldwide. The Max Mara Fashion group counts nine different brands under its ownership. The company remains privately held and managed by the Maramotti family.
