Governing Body Chair Robair Reichenstein addressing the crowd
Family Dynamics’ 6th Annual Benefit Art Auction & Reception Raises Record Funds
for After School Arts Programs for Brooklyn Youth
More than 250 New York art enthusiasts contribute more than $146,000 to Brooklyn nonprofit
More than 250 local art lovers gathered at 91 Horatio in Manhattan’s Meatpacking district on Tuesday, April 26, 2016 for the 6th Annual Family Dynamics Benefit Art Auction & Reception to raise awareness and funds for Family Dynamics’ after school art programs. In its highest-grossing year to date, the event raised more than $146,000 for the nonprofit, which serves children and families in Brooklyn’s Bedford-Stuyvesant, Brownsville, Bushwick, Crown Heights and East New York neighborhoods.
The evening’s silent and live auctions featured artwork donated by 30 New York-based contemporary artists. Among the artists in attendance was Honorary Artist Chair, Vadis Turner, whose mixed media piece, entitled “Vessel and Smoke,” fetched the highest bid of the night. A fun and engaging paddle raise at the end of the live auction alone raised more than $10,000, which will go directly toward funding a year’s worth of art supplies and program materials.
Other generously donated auction items included works by: Leslie Alexander, Michael Anderson, John Baber, Alex Beard, Noah Becker, Emily Berger, Peter Bogardus, Clayton Calvert, Parker Calvert, Davide Cantoni, Pietro Costa, FAILE, Carson Fox, Hillary Harrison, Alison Jackson, Ryan Keeley, Anthony Kieran, Nancy Manter, Andrew Mezvinsky, Jim Osman, Erik Parker, Brian Pearson, Arlayne Peterson, Jim Plunkett, Dan Rizzie, Alexandra Rowley, Anne Russinof and Robert Szot.
Children from Family Dynamics’ art program from PS/IS 41 in Brownsville, Brooklyn, contributed their own work, Wonder Wheel, a mosaic of the iconic Coney Island landmark, made with an eclectic variety of re-used materials that reflects the diversity of New York City, as well as the students’ appreciation for environmental sustainability.
In addition to Honorary Artist Chair Vadis Turner, contributing artists Clay Calvert, Parker Calvert, Ryan Keeley, Anthony Kieren and Robert Szot, were also on hand for the proceedings, which were overseen by event co-chairs Joni Grossman and Tina Gagliano, as well as Sotheby’s-trained auctioneer Angelo Chan.
About Family Dynamics
Located in Central Brooklyn, Family Dynamics provides neighborhood-based programs that strengthen families, give young people the tools to succeed in school and beyond, and enrich family and community life. Family Dynamics is a program of SCO Family of Services which provides human services for 55,000 children, youth, families and adults each year in New York City and on Long Island. For more info, go to www.sco.org.
