Art Production Fund’s 2024 Cruise Gala

“After a week that started off quite chilly in New York City, it felt like fate that temperatures spiked to 70 degrees and sunny on the same day the Art Production Fund hosted its cruise-theme 2024 gala presented by Saks. Servers at The Grill greeted guests with Champagne Lallier and piña colada’s while wearing tailored uniforms topped off with captain hats. The mezzanine guard rails at The Pool were adorned with lifebuoys and the fountain was filled with red-and-white striped floaties, and the dress code on the invitations asked guests to go overboard, staying in line with the theme. “Sarah Hoover (an Art Production Fund board member, who was responsible for curating the high-sea theme menu that included Carbone’s lobster ravioli) had full access to the Chanel Cruise collection, where as I appear to have robbed an American Girl doll store,” joked Sara Friedlander, deputy chairman of Post-War and Contemporary Art at Christie’s and this evening’s host of the auction.

Before the riveting bids were placed, guests such as Drew Barrymore, Olivia Wilde, Huma Abedin, Stacey Bendet, and more were treated to a water-splashing performance by Shikeith. The rhythmic expression is titled “Visiting Hours” and it pays homage to the Hudson River piers during the 1960s and 1970s, which served as a safe haven for queer communities during that time.

At the height of the night, Uovo staff members carefully brought out four different pieces of art for guests to bid on. A portrait by Hiba Schahbaz and paintings by Maia Ruth Lee, Dominique Fung, and Joel Mesler collectively fetched $250,000, helping to bring this year’s total of funds raised to more than $850,000.

The Art Production Fund, a nonprofit dedicated to helping artists realize their ambitious dreams and projects, was founded in 2000. Now 24 years later, the APF team continues to keep the mission alive while having a boatload of fun.”

Words by Alexis Bennett Parker for Vogue