The Young Collectors Council (YCC) is a vital group of international collectors, artists and otherwise creative individuals, ages 21-45, who are dedicated to supporting the Guggenheim Museum’s worldwide exhibition and acquisition programs.

Young Collectors, or any “Young” group is an institution’s way of furthering the cause, of enlisting future supporters and trustees, prominent members of the community(-to-be). And for those who want to make the acquaintance of some with whom they may have much in common, this is a great opportunity. You can be assured that from this group will eventually emerge some, or even one, very serious and important private collector and benefactor in the art and museum world.

At the Guggenheim, Young Collectors funds raised through the membership group and from the 2003 Artist’s Ball are used by the YBB Acquisitions Committee to purchase works by emerging artists for the Museum’s permanent collection.

Chloe Sevigny

Dior was the sponsor of this year’s Young Collectors Council Artist’s Ball. Matthew Ritchie was the honored guest. Someone called it a “golden couture fairytale evening illuminated with thousands of glistening lights.” Sounds like a press release, no? Never mind, it was true; they went all out. All Out. And they made this year’s party memorable. (Evidently there was also a very memorable and noticeable falling out between two old friends — girls will be girls — attending the ball too, but we’ll leave the details to Page Six).

Production designers Bureau Betak were hired by Dior to create the golden masterpiece – gold glitter dance floor, gold bars, ultra-luxurious (meaning: more than you know) ottomans and a fabulous light installation in Frank Lloyd Wright’s fabulous rotunda. All this gold makes you wonder if it’s the designers making a prescient statement.

It was an evening of cocktails, dancing, (Jeremy Healey from London, the DJ, and of course the now obligatory silent auction where the Gotbuckses can pick up a fabulous item, or at least a fascinating item, for a healthy tax deduction (as long as the price is healthy). This year’s auction, perfect for the Young Collectors, including works by artists Assume Astro Vivid Focus (the name a tribute to his generation), Chiho Aoshima, Nigel Cooke, Sam Durant, Barnaby Furnas, Brad Kalhamer, David Muller, and the evening’s honoree, Matthew Ritchie.

Co-chairs were Sally Albemarle, Delphine Arnault, Adam Lindemann, Eva Jeanbart Lorenzotti, David Netto, Lucy Sykes Rellie, and Jacqueline Sackler.

And who, you ask, was there? Well: Heather Graham, Michael Stipe, Mike Tyson, Gretchen Mol, Christina Ricci, Damon Dash, Vanessa Carlton, Stephen Jenkins, Famke Janssen, Chloe Sevigny, Tara Subkoff, Sean Lennon, Maria Bello, Josh Lukas, Ali Larter, Frederique Van Der Wal, Adam Goldberg, Alek Wek, Tory Burch, Theodora Richards, Karen Elson, Steven Jenkins, Yvonne Force Villareal, Eric Villency, Olivia Chantecaille, Natalia Vodianova, Andrea Rosen, Celerie Kemble, Euan Rellie, Jennifer Creel, Frederic Fekkai, Hope Atherton, Tinsley Mortimer, Austin Scarlett of Project Runway, Genevieve Jones, John Tisch, Dori Cooperman, Lillian von Stauffenberg, Robert Verdi and Stacy Bendet.

Plus the Host Committee, including some of the aforementioned: Nicholas Acquavella, Justin Beal, Stacey Bendet, Claire Bernard, BJ Topol Blum, Marianne Boesky, Alixe Boyer, Olivia Chantecaille, Claire Danes, Amalia Dayan, Tiffany Dubin, Anh Duong, Ben Elliot, Valesca and Mathias Guerrand-Hermes, Glenn Fuhrman, Casey Kaplan, Boykin Curry, Famke Janssen, Milla Jovovich, Lulu de Kwiatkowski, Mirabelle Marden and Melissa Bent, Tico Mughrabi, Todd Meister, Fernanda Niven, Jennifer Nocon, Zac Posen, Marla Sabo, Tom Sachs, Allison Sarofim, Alexandra Shiva and Jonathan Marc Sherman, Natalia Vodianova and Justin Portman, and Ali Wise.

And the sponsors, the one’s who were helpful in raising the jack: Dior, Moët & Chandon Champagne, Belvedere Vodka, Casa Lapostolle Chardonnay, Voss Water.

Sparkling entertainment, high fashion and gourmet dining were the agenda for the Raymond F. Kravis Center for the Performing Arts Gala last December down in Palm Beach.

The annual event that benefits the Kravis Center’s education programs began with a cocktail reception followed by a dazzling holiday performance by Vanessa Williams, followed by the dinner dance.

Natalie Stone and Harvey Bloomberg

Helen K. Persson served as Chairman of this year’s Gala Night of Stars Benefit, which transformed the Cohen Pavilion into a wintry wonderland, reflecting the evening’s theme, “Diamonds & Ice.” Elaine Gimelstob and Kathryn C. Vecellio were Gala Co-Chairmen. Carol Cohen was Honorary Chairman.

Kravis Center Chairman Alexander W. Dreyfoos, Jr. welcomed donors and guests to the gala and made a special announcement that H. Irwin and Ellen Levy of West Palm Beach made a $1 million gift to the Kravis Center’s Encore Campaign, an ongoing fund-raising effort to pay for the Cohen Pavilion expansion project. The Levys have been longtime and loyal supporters of the Kravis.

Mr. Dryfoos announced that “The Encore Campaign Wall of Honor in the Harris Family Foundation Pre-function Hall in the Cohen Pavilion will be named in recognition of their outstanding gift.”

Mr. Dreyfoos then presented the Levys with a Tiffany & Co. tray that has traditionally been given to generous donors who contribute $1 million or more to the Encore Campaign.

The enthusiasm for supporting the Kravis was more than seconded by Ms. Williams who, Mr. Dreyfoos reported also in addition to her spectacular performance for the gala, made a $10,000 contribution to the Kravis Center’s education programs.

Tiffany & Co. provided their special support for this year’s gala, donating a diamond and platinum necklace and earrings, which were raffled off during the evening. Palm Beach Post columnist Thom Smith drew the winning name and announced that the glittering jewelry, valued at more than $8,500, would go to Mr. and Mrs. Kenneth Langone.

The elegant setting was created by The Special Event Resource and Design Group. There were ice sculptures topped with globes of white roses set below suspended chandeliers of votive candles and crystal beads.

The 250 guests dined on a seafood trio appetizer of Chilean Crab, Citrus Glaze Sea Scallops and Smoked Salmon Tartare with Boutique Caviar, prepared by Jonathan Korsen, Chef for Special Impressions at the Kravis Center, Catering by The Breakers, and Jeff Simms, Executive Chef at The Breakers and their staff at Special Impressions.

The entrée included Truffle Butter Soufflé Crusted Filet Mignon, Lobster Claw and Artichoke, Yellow Squash and Sautéed Spinach Timbale. For dessert, a Pyramid of Grand Marnier Infused White Chocolate Semifreddo, Sugar “Ice” Shards and Passion Fruit with Raspberry Starburst topped off the menu. No mention was made of the crash diets to be launched the next day all over Palm Beach.

The Gala is the Kravis Center’s largest annual fund-raising event. Its success depends on the individual generosity of its benefactors who underwrite portions of the evening, including Mr. and Mrs. Herbert Gimelstob, Mr. and Mrs. Barry Crown, Mr. and Mrs. Jack N. Friedman, Mr. and Mrs. Lewis M. Schott, Mr. and Mrs. Robert M. Montgomery, Jr., Northern Trust, Mr. and Mrs. A. T. Persson, Jr., The Scripps Research Institute; U.S. Trust Company, N.A., and Mr. and Mrs. Leo A. Vecellio, Jr.

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