‘An Affair of the Arts’

Performance and Gala Toasts America's Best Young Artists

An Affair of the Arts performance and gala proved once again that the winning recipe for a night to remember includes one part stunning location and one part celebrity-packed guest list, as the National Foundation for Advancement in the Arts (NFAA) wrapped up its annual youngARTS Week with an elegant black tie affair for nearly 600 guests at the newly renovated Fontainebleau Hotel, in the spectacular Glimmer Ballroom on the Ocean.

Judy and Sherwood “Woody” Weiser, Irma and Norman Braman, and Rosa and Carlos De La Cruz chaired the event, while SunTrust Bank served as Title Presenting Sponsor. Other attendees included NFAA founder, Lin Arison and granddaughter and President of the Arison Arts Foundation, Sarah Arison; NFAA Chairman James Dubin and wife, Susan; SunTrust President Jim Rasmussen and wife, Alice; Rudy and Betsy Perez; Commissioner Joe Sanchez and wife, Betty; Miami Dade County Director of Cultural Affairs Michael Spring and wife Regina Bailey; Judy and Bob Newman; Tara Solomon, Charlie Cinnamon, Marvin Ross Friedman and Adrienne bon Haes; Michael Eidson; Maggie and Armando Codina; Miami City Ballet founder Toby Ansin and Stephanie Ansin; Sandy Muss; and James Rosenquist and wife, Mimi Thompson.

The evening began with a cocktail reception and silent auction, chaired by Norma and Luis Quintero, who pulled together an alluring variety of luxury items from Tiffany & Co., Saks Fifth Avenue, Neiman Marcus and Bergdorf Goodman among other luxury brands. A special tribute followed to honor distinguished visual artist James Rosenquist, who was presented with the prestigious Arison Award. Three-time Tony Award nominee Raúl Esparza, who appears on Broadway this season in the revival of David Mamet’s Speed the Plow, was given this year’s youngARTS Alumni Award.

Guests also enjoyed an alumni performance by the Uptown Trio, who recently performed at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C. Joining the Uptown Trio for the evening were special guests, youngARTS alumni Madelyn Deutch and Richard Saunders.

Following the gala, the youngPATRONS After Party kicked off under the leadership of Sarah Arison, Ana and Rob Barlick, and Tara Solomon and Nick D’Annunzia. DJ M-Dot kept the crowd moving in the Fontainebleau’s Splash Ballroom, as the lucky guests partied until 1:00 a.m.

For more information, visit www.youngARTS.org.