Each spring, supporters of The Frick Collection and their guests look forward to the annual Young Fellows Ball, the museum’s highly anticipated benefit event.
This year’s event took place on Thursday, March 30, in partnership with Irene Neuwirth, with additional support from Tito’s Handmade Vodka, Catena Zapata, De Soi, Desolas Mezcal, Old Overholt, and Quinn Rosé. For the second year, the Ball was held at Frick Madison, the museum’s temporary home located in Marcel Breuer’s iconic modernist building on the Upper East Side.
Guests enjoyed a night of art and music along with themed refreshments and hors d’oeuvres and a unique “Step into a Fragonard” photo experience. With special talks and access to the galleries, they were able to experience the Frick’s masterpieces reframed at Frick Madison, a once-in-a-lifetime temporary presentation featuring collection highlights by celebrated artists such as Bellini, Degas, Fragonard, Gainsborough, Ingres, Rembrandt, Titian, Van Dyck, and Veronese.
The Ball’s theme this year, “Bejeweled,” was inspired by the current special exhibition at Frick Madison, The Gregory Gift. The show presents twenty-eight remarkable works of fine and decorative art recently bequeathed to the museum by collector and publisher Alexis Gregory. These eclectic objects, many whimsical in nature, shimmer with gilded surfaces and gemstone accents.
Paul Arnhold, Drew Garrison, Ivy Getty, Wes Gordon, Louisa Jacobson, and Indré Rockefeller served as Chairmen. Irene Neuwirth was the evening’s Honorary Chairman.
Guests included Bosilika An, Paul Arnhold, Jeremy Batoff, Marie-Laure Buku Pongo, Eaddy Kiernan Bunzel, Angie Calderwood, Giulio Dalvit, John Grisham, Mercedes de Guardiola, Allison Ecung, Jacqueline Elfe, Drew Garrison, Ivy Getty, Wes Godon, Alexandra Gray, Alexander Hankin, Fiona Hilton, Louisa Jacobson, Casey Kohlberg, Elizabeth Kurpis, Stirling Larkin, Brian Lei, Teresa Lin, Bach Mai, Araminta Mellon, Harlan Minor, Irene Neuwirth, Arielle Patrick, Indré Rockefeller, Anita Saggurti, Ian Wardropper, and Blaike Young.
Proceeds from the Young Fellows Ball provide essential support for the Frick’s many activities, including the programs of the Frick Art Reference Library and the Education Department, which serves students from New York City public schools in all five boroughs as well as digital audiences around the country and the world.
For more than twenty years, the Young Fellows have helped to ensure that The Frick Collection remains a singular museum experience. The contributions of the Young Fellows support the conservation of the permanent collection, its presentation at Frick Madison, the organization of new special exhibitions and installations, and the museum and library’s world-class public programming. Throughout the year, the young art enthusiasts who make up the Young Fellows enjoy social and educational events and behind-the-scenes access to the Frick.
Photographs by Matteo Prandoni/BFA.com & George Koelle
