The 23rd Annual Coalition for the Homeless ARTWALK NY
The Coalition for the Homeless hosted the 23rd annual ARTWALK NY bringing together more than 700 art lovers, celebrities, artists, collectors, and Coalition supporters at Spring Studios for a night filled with over 100 pieces of contemporary art in a silent and live auction.
The Coalition for the Homeless has been developing and implementing cost-effective strategies to end mass homelessness in New York City for close to four decades. The Coalition works tirelessly to alleviate the suffering of more than 3,500 men, women, and children each day by providing emergency food and clothing, housing, crisis services, job training, and programs for homeless youth.
Empire was proud to serve as overall producer for ARTWALK NY for the eighth consecutive year. The evening was generously presented by Italian fashion house Max Mara. This year, artist Louise Fishman was honored for her contribution to contemporary art, and Vincent and Shelly Fremont were honored for their continued philanthropic support of the Coalition throughout the years. Debbie Harry presented the Philanthropic Honoree award to the Fremonts.
Aileen Agopian auctioned off a spectacular selection of art pieces courtesy of some of the world’s most renowned artists, including Andy Warhol, Chuck Close, Alex Katz, Ed Ruscha, and the night’s honoree, Louise Fishman.
The evening began with hors d’oeuvres by Spring Place and cocktails graciously provided by VDKA 6100, Brooklyn Brewery, Bird in Hand Winery, and Ilegal Mezcal. Tasting stations were provided by a selection of New York City’s best restaurants, including ACME, Celestine, Il Buco, Mission Chinese, The Odeon, Dizengoff, Fairfax, Houseman, Samesa, and Wildair. Mah-Ze-Dahr Bakery offered mini pastries and Morgenstern’s Finest Ice Cream offered several of their delectable unique flavors as well as an affogato in collaboration with Counter Culture, which served espressos and lattes.
Throughout the night, guests bid on and purchased works from established and emerging artists while listening to upbeat tunes spun by DJ Mia Moretti and DJElle Dee.
Working closely with the Coalition for the Homeless’ events team and title sponsor Max Mara, Empire served as executive producer of the event and was responsible for event design, production and logistic, décor and restaurant coordination.
To learn more about the Coalition for the Homeless or to get involved and donate, visit http://www.coalitionforthehomeless.org/
Guests received their first taste of technological innovation at registration, where they were welcomed by name on a reactive LED screen installation covering the full width of the entry wall. A large lunch café was created with a décor scheme that incorporated custom-built, ceiling-high steel LED frames draped with foliage to create smaller, intimate restaurant-style spaces that displayed both technology and nature.
A series of breakout sessions presented content targeted to attendees’ varied interests, while imagery displayed throughout the venue showcased real-life applications of how products designed to empower developers help to unleash the power of data and reimagine possibilities that will improve our world.
Every element of Microsoft Connect(); from registration, breakfast and keynote, to lunch and evening cocktails, were custom-designed to communicate exacting brand messaging and to deliver a high-touch guest experience to this important audience. The keynote and breakout sessions were livestreamed through an onsite studio built for this purpose and content was watched online by millions around the world.
Empire is proud to collaborate with Microsoft on this annual, top-tier business communication event.
To view excerpts of Connect(); 2017, please visit https://www.microsoft.com/connectevent
