The Whitney Museum of American Art‘s annual Art Party, held on January 30, 2024, transformed the museum into a botanical haven, drawing in a high-profile crowd. This year’s event, co-chaired by a distinguished group including Natalie Ball, Edward Barsamian, Steven Beltrani, Micaela Erlanger, and Kambui Olujimi, was a testament to the power of art, nature, and community coming together for a cause. The fundraiser, dedicated to supporting the museum’s Independent Study Program (ISP), was a sold-out success, raising substantial funds for one of the nation’s leading postgraduate programs in studio art, curatorial studies, and critical studies.
In line with the botanical theme, the Whitney’s Kenneth C. Griffin Hall was adorned with cascading fresh floral arrangements designed by the female-founded boutique creative agency, East Olivia. The setting provided an immersive experience for the attendees, blending art and nature in an innovative and interactive way. The co-chairs, Natalie Ball and Kambui Olujimi, contributed to the evening’s creativity by crafting signature mocktails, adding a personal touch to the array of beverages made with Tequila Casa Dragones.
The event was graced by an array of notable guests from the worlds of art, fashion, business, and entertainment, including actors Emily Hampshire and Katherine McNamara, media personalities Sofia Franklyn and Olivia Palermo, and fashion designers Cynthia Rowley and Nina Tiari, among others. Their presence underscored the Art Party’s significance as a cornerstone of New York’s arts and philanthropy calendar, sponsored by esteemed brands like Aesop and Dry Farm Wines.
Music was a key component of the evening, with indie pop duo MGMT and Samantha Urbani setting the tone with their electric DJ sets. This added a contagious energy to the night, encouraging guests to dance amidst the museum’s ground floor, which was specially opened for the event. Attendees also enjoyed exclusive access to the museum’s galleries and were among the first to witness the exhibition “Harold Cohen: AARON,” where attendees could explore the intersection of art and artificial intelligence.
The Whitney Museum’s party was more than just a celebration; it was a critical support mechanism for the museum’s ISP, fostering the next generation of artists and curators. Through events like these, the Whitney continues to fulfill its mission of supporting artists and enriching the cultural landscape of New York City.
The 2024 Whitney Art Party was a night to remember, blending artistic innovation with philanthropic purpose, all set against the backdrop of a botanical wonderland. It was a vivid demonstration of the community’s commitment to supporting the arts, ensuring the continued success and influence of the Whitney Museum’s programs.
NOTABLE GUESTS: Actors Emily Hampshire, Katherine McNamara, Sally Pressman, Yaritza Reyes; media personalities Sofia Franklyn, Pieper James, Serena Kerrigan, Erin Dana Lichy, Olivia Palermo; models Emira D’Spain, Audrey Hilfiger, Johannes Huebl, Natalie Lim Suarez; designers and stylists Maurice Diallo, Wes Gordon, Marty Harper, Eny Lee Parker, Cynthia Rowley, Nina Tiari; artists Natalie Ball, Peter Burr, Lola Flash, Ashley Longshore, Kambui Olujimi, Salman Toor; DJs Dede Lovelace, The Muses (Jack James Busa and Daniel Walters); influencers Grace Atwood, Griffin Maxwell Brooks, Barbie Brigoni, Victoria Casalino, Olivia Duncan, Olivia Dunnigan, Jules Fox, Christina Grasso, Sarah Hamrick, Kit Keenan, Cassidy Lynn, Brooke Miccio, Luca Mornet, New York Nico, Margo Oshry, Coco Schiffer, Lauren Tiby, Melissa Vale, Caroline Vazzana, Carly Weinstein; photographers Alice Gao, Gabriel Perez Silva, Brandon Woelfel; fitness star Robin Arzón; Museum supporters Paul Arnhold, David Cancel, Claudia Laviada, Fern and Lenard Tessler; supporters of the arts Fred Baba, Samantha Brand, Drew Butler, Roman Chiporukha, Sophie Cohen, Peter Davis, Jonathan Densa, Adam Fields, Jonathan Gardenhire, Leah Glimcher, Josh Glass, Hannah Gottlieb-Graham, Ethan James Green, Alexander Hankin, Danielle Hankin, Jordan Huelskamp, Flora Irving, Sophia Adrianna Kanavos, Nicholas Kanavos, Stephanie Ketty, Casey Kohlberg, Molly Krause, Benoit Lagarde, Suzanna Lee, Alex Marinier, Kevin McIntosh Jr., Brian McKinney, Polina Proshkina, Lilah Ramzi, Theo Ressler, Paula Sanders, Catherine Smith Licari, Elise Taylor, Greer Tessler and Travis Miranda; curators Kim Conaty, Marcela Guerrero, Meg Onli, Laura Phipps, Drew Sawyer, and Scott Rothkopf, the Alice Pratt Brown Director of the Whitney Museum of American Art.
