At this year’s Art Production Fund gala, the “après” party started early.
The arts organization is known for its in-depth themed fundraisers — summer camp, slumber parties, nautical — and on Wednesday nights, The Grill and The Pool are transformed into cozy chalets for after-ski.
An ice bar sculpture, engraved with the Art Production Fund event logo, welcomed guests into the room with a quick warm-up in the form of a shot of Absolut Tabasco. At the bottom of the stairs leading to the cocktail hour, an usher was stationed next to Kelly Wall’s “Well of the Sad” statue, helping to insert money into souvenir coins.
Kelly Wall
Lexie Moreland/WWD
Wall created the installation for the recent biennial Made in LA event at the Hammer Museum, tapping into a sense of nostalgia, and APF executive director Casey Fremont suggested bringing it to the party. “It’s actually perfect for the theme, because it has a mountain feel,” says Wall, who recently collaborated with APF on a piece for Frieze in LA, and will participate in APF’s upcoming Art Sundae for kids event, a recurring series. “Working with the Art Production Fund has been incredible — honestly, I’ve never felt so supported by anyone in the art world,” she added.
The artist stood next to a makeshift ice rink in the center of the room, where Amanda Ross-Ho — another Art Production Fund collaborator — skated wearing a skeleton outfit, part of her show “Untitled Figure (Reprise).”
Scene at the Art Production Fund gala.
Lexie Moreland/WWD
In the powder room downstairs, event sponsor Amazon Beauty had a glamor station with Clé de Peau Beauté products; Other fashion stalwarts this year include Gucci and Moncler, which provided themed beanies for waiters. Other guests interpreted the “après” dress code in various ways: there were puffer coat dresses, shaggy scarves and coats, “Aspen” hoodies and many versions of ski sweaters, glasses worn as headwear, and more. APF co-founders Yvonne Force Villareal and Cynthia Rowley both wore white feathered trapper hats, while artists Will Cotton and Sanford Biggers opted for bright orange sweaters. Other guests included Mickalene Thomas, Derrick Adams, Marilyn Minter, Sergio Hudson, Raul Lopez, Anna Sui, Nicky Hilton Rothschild, Stacey Bendet, Athena Calderone and Huma Abedin.
Stacey Bendet
Lexie Moreland/WWD
Inside The Pool, guests found their place cards — designed as season ski passes, accompanied by a fold-out ski map that served as the event program — as Euro-inspired DJ duo Polar Bear set the mood for fondue appetizers. “Shot skiing” is done in the afternoon.
“The voice of the artist is more important than ever, and public art has a unique power,” Fremont, along with director of operations Kathleen Lynch, told the room as diners poked cubes of bread to twirl into pans of melting cheese in the center of each table. “It meets people where they are, woven into the rhythm of everyday life. Free from barriers to entry, it often reaches those who may not be looking for it, but are moved by its presence,” he added. “Thanks to you, the arts have become more accessible, more inclusive, and more impactful.”
And while the pair encouraged the room to give generously during the paddle raise – the event ultimately raised more than $1 million – they also reminded the audience to take home tangible memories of the evening.
“Don’t forget to press a penny,” adds Fremont. “You know, it’s out of circulation now.”
Casey Fremont and Honor McGee
Lexie Moreland/WWD
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