Art Production Fund’s Annual Gala Hits the Slopes
The 15th annual gala raised over $1 million for public art at one of New York's most spirited art-world evenings
Halfway through dinner at The Pool on Wednesday night, two DJs in light-up LED polar bear masks were spinning Nelly and Ja Rule while waiters, donning Moncler puffers and ski hats, paraded between tables carrying branded shot skis. This was the Art Production Fund’s 15th annual gala at the Seagram Building. The theme was “chalet.” The energy was New York City gala meets spring break in Gstaad. And by the end of the evening, over $1 million had been raised for public art—a record for the organization.
At the start of the night, more than 300 guests filtered into the Seagram in their best lodge attire—puffer vests layered over gowns, après-appropriate knits, the occasional fur headband. Downstairs, artist Kelly Wall’s “Wistful Thinking” penny press kicked things off, followed by an ice bar designed by Queens-based Okamoto serving shots of Absolut Tabasco Vodka, skinny cigarettes, and APF-branded lighters. Throughout the night, Clè de Peau handled touch-ups in the iconic downstairs ladies’ lounge.
Guest proceeded upstairs to The Grill for cocktails, where, between cocktails and custom soft pretzels, Amanda Ross-Ho—who recently performed as part of APF’s Frieze Los Angeles public program—staged a choreographed ice-skating performance in the center of the room.
Dinner in The Pool, designed by board member Sarah Hoover and executed by Major Food Group, leaned fully into the alpine bit: fondue, schnitzel, truffle pizza, and more. Place settings doubled as gift bags with personalized APF ski passes complete with each guest’s photo, branded sweatshirts, pens, cutting boards, and a “ski map” program charting the evening’s course.
Executive Director Casey Fredmont and Director of Operations Kathleen Lynch welcomed the room before Gabriela Palmieri led a paddle raise for APF’s Art Sundae program. But the Polar Bears, the DJ duo with masks aglow and a set list locked on early-2000s dance anthems, kept the room from ever settling into standard gala mode. By the time the Moncler shotski brigade arrived at dessert time—s’mores, waffles, and peppermint schnapps hot chocolate shots—the Seagram felt less like a benefit and more like the best house party on Park Avenue.
Among the more than 300 guests were Huma Abedin, Marilyn Minter, Derrick Adams, Stacey Bendet, Sanford Biggers, Hannah Bronfman, Athena Calderone, Jennifer Fisher, Ivy Getty, Sam Hine, Sergio Hudson, Jill Kargman, Wisdom Kaye, Marilyn Minter, Tinx, Nicky Hilton Rothschild, Cynthia Rowley, Anna Sui, Hannah Traore, and Elaine Welteroth.
Scroll below to see more images from the evening.
