Alberto Ibargüen, President & CEO, John S. and James L. Knight Foundation and recipient of a YoungArts recognition award; Christina DePaul, President & CEO, YoungArts, Mary Frank & Howard Frank, YoungArts Gala Chairs
Miami’s philanthropic power players gathered recently for the annual An Affair of the Arts Performance and Gala, in support of YoungArts, the core program of the National Foundation for Advancement in the Arts (NFAA). The event brought together the nation’s finest young artists, the patrons who support them and a cache of celebrities at the Gusman Center for the Performing Arts and the Alfred I. Dupont Building. The gala raised more than $550 thousand to support student artists. The theme of this year’s gala was Downtown Deco. SunTrust Bank was the Title Presenting Sponsor and chairing the event were prominent Miami arts philanthropists Mary and Howard Frank.
The party began with street performances by the 2010 YoungArts finalists and was followed by a dazzling show at the Gusman Center by select YoungArts Alumni, including famed dancer and choreographer Desmond Richardson. Richardson was a 1986 YoungArts winner in Modern Dance and a Presidential Scholar in the Arts. He has been hailed by the New York Times as one of the greatest dancers and choreographers of our time, and his performance proved this to be true. Following the performance was a cocktail reception, specialty wine silent auction, and a drawing featuring a dazzling variety of luxury items and experiences. During the reception, guests were surrounded by vignettes with incredible performances by the 2010 YoungArts finalists.
Christina DePaul; Liv Ullmann, 2010 Arison Award recipient, James Rasmussen, Chairman, President & CEO, SunTrust Bank of South Florida
A special tribute to Desmond Richardson, recipient of the YoungArts Alumni Award, and distinguished actress and director Liv Ullmann, the recipient of this year’s prestigious Arison Award, was the highlight of the evening. YoungArts also honored the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation, and its President and CEO Alberto Ibargüen for its distinguished leadership and unwavering commitment to supporting the arts and its commitment to Miami.
Funds raised will support YoungArts programming on both a regional and national level.
Christina DePaul, Desmond Richardson, 2010 YoungArts Alumni Award recipient
Alberto Ibargüen, Mary Frank
Mindy Pincus, Rich Wagman
YoungArts paparazzi
YoungArts Gala décor
YoungArts finalist participating in Gala vignettes
Sarah Arison, Maurice Zarmati, Linda Coll
Christy Powell, Claudia Jackman, Drake Jackman, Karen Scott
Tony Jones, Patty Carroll & Dan Blaylock
James Farmer & Meryl Comer
Kate Davis, Mikhail Baryshnikov, Desmond Richardson
Rebecca Gentry, Marian Davis
Susan & James Dubin, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the National Foundation for Advancement in the Arts
Ana Codina Barlick & Robert Barlick
Lin Arison, Liv Ullmann
Andrew Frey, Ali Codina, Daniel Perron, Jody Wolfe
Alice & James Rasmussen
Cathryn Garcia-Menocal, Terry Riley
Orlando & Annerys Roche
Allie Garcia-Serra, Marlene Garcia, Claudine Coto, Christina Parsons
YoungArts Gala Drawing
Samuel & Audrey Zona
Joy Abbott, Jerry Mirrow
Rebecca Stenn, Ron McCurdy, Alex Bradshaw, Justin DiCioccio
Mike Eidson, Pamela Garrison
Charles Thornburgh, Natalee Thornburgh, Alexander Gorlin