Whitney Art Party 2023
After a two-year hiatus, The Whitney Museum of American Art’s annual Art Party returned on January 31, 2023. Hosted by the Whitney Contemporaries, the Art Party welcomed young patrons, emerging artists, and guests from the worlds of art, fashion, business, philanthropy, and entertainment for an evening of cocktails, music, exclusive exhibition viewing, and more. Whitney Contemporaries Edward Barsamian, Steven Beltrani, and Micaela Erlanger as well as Artist Rachel Rossin served as co-chairs for the event. Alexander Hankin served as the benefit committee chair.
Painter and programmer Rachel Rossin was honored as the featured artist. A pioneer in the field of virtual reality, her multidisciplinary practice blends painting, sculpture, new media, gaming, and video to create digital landscapes that focus on the ubiquity of technology and its effect on our psychology. For this event, Rossin created exclusive merchandise and temporary tattoos that were given out to the guests.
Attendees enjoyed exclusive access to the Museum’s blockbuster exhibitions like Edward Hopper's New York and no existe un mundo poshuracán: Puerto Rican Art in the Wake of Hurricane Maria, as well as all of the collection galleries. Cocktails will be provided on the ground floor, with the event’s signature cocktail ‘Margarita in Retrograde’ provided by Casa Dragones Tequila.
The ground floor was DJed by The Muses followed by Questlove. Attendees showed off their astrology-themed looks as they danced the night away in outfits featuring horns, lights, sequins, and studs, bringing the artistic energy from the canvases to the guests. Celebrities like Ashley Graham and Martha Hunt mingled in a crowd free from pretension and clout-chasing, as art and positive vibes took center stage.
Proceeds from the Art Party provided critical support to the Whitney’s renowned Independent Study Program (ISP). Founded in 1968, ISP is one of the country’s leading postgraduate programs in studio art, curatorial studies, and critical studies. The program furthers the Whitney’s mission to support living artists throughout their careers.
