Art Production Fund’s 2023 Camp Gala
Press Release
Art Production Fund (APF) in partnership with SAKS celebrated a night of creativity, camaraderie, and philanthropy at their highly anticipated 2023 Camp-themed Gala, on March 15, 2023, in New York, New York.
The ritzy venue, The Grill/The Pool, was magically transformed into a summer camp haven, setting the stage for an evening of artistic exploration and celebration.
As attendees entered, the words "You're in bunk three" set the tone for a night of adventure and creativity. In a departure from tradition, table assignments were replaced with the novelty of finding designated bunks, creating an atmosphere of camaraderie and playfulness.
The camp-inspired theme came to life with a range of engaging activities. Adventurous guests had the opportunity to get fresh ear piercings courtesy of the renowned Maria Tash. A cocktail hour inside The Grill featured servers donning green "Camp Art Production Fund" visors while passing around delectable treats, including mini grilled cheese sandwiches topped with caviar. Up on the mezzanine, colorful slushie machines, sponsored by Saks, churned out delightful concoctions, and lanterns cast a warm glow over the cocktail tables.
Esteemed guests included artists such as Marilyn Minter, Dustin Yellin, Zoë Buckman, Kennedy Yanko, and Hiba Schahbaz, along with notable figures from the art, fashion, and entertainment worlds. Notable attendees also included Tanya Taylor, Tayshia Adams, Huma Abedin, Stacey Bendet, Nicky Hilton Rothschild, and the founders of Art Production Fund, Doreen Remen, Yvonne Force Villareal, and Leo Villareal.
The gala's dress code, "Hiked Up High Ropes Course," was intentionally left open-ended, allowing guests to interpret it uniquely and imaginatively. Casey Fremont, Executive Director of APF, expressed, "We wanted something fun as always, something that can be interpreted in many different ways. So it's like a camp country club mashup of all of those things: youthful and playful."
Throughout the evening, the camp theme continued to enchant. Dancers performed Brendan Fernandes' piece "Endless Summer," adding a touch of whimsy to the cocktail hour. As guests transitioned into The Pool room for dinner, they were met with a breathtaking scene: a sculptural moon presiding over a botanical campground-style lake, complete with canoes, a creation by floral artist Lutfi Janania.
Personalized Leatherology keychains guided guests to their designated "bunk" dinner tables, fostering an intimate and communal dining experience. Sarah Hoover's heartfelt letters and the thoughtfully curated dinner menu added a personal touch to the evening, emphasizing the sense of camaraderie and shared artistic passion.
The 2023 Art Production Fund Gala not only celebrated creativity but also raised funds in support of APF's mission to promote accessibility and inclusivity in the art world. Recent projects, including Joel Gaitain's sculptural window installation at Rockefeller Center and Derrick Adams' "Funtime Unicorns" playground installation, exemplify APF's dedication to pushing boundaries in contemporary art.
As the evening came to a close, Casey Fremont left attendees with a final directive: "Embrace the spirit of creativity and let your inner artist roam free. Tonight, we celebrate the power of imagination and the boundless potential of art to ignite our souls."
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