Approximately 175 guests gathered at the Nassau County Museum of Art on Wednesday for the inaugural benefit gala of Arts Alive, an event series organized by Arts Alliance Long Island celebrating the local fine arts and cultural scene, officials said.
The gala, called “Long Island’s Finest: Fine Art, Fine Food, Fine Wines, Fine Company,” brought together artists Nina Chanel Abney, Justin Cruan, Erik Parker and Tom Sanford, each featured in the museum’s latest exhibit, “AftermodernisM,” in addition to Alex Katz, whose series “Selections from the Whitney Museum of American Art” highlights the exhibit.
“This is a very unique show,” said Todd Cohen, a museum trustee. “You’re not going to find a show like this except in the city, certainly not on Long Island.”
The museum’s board of trustees, Museum Council, corporate committee, Contemporary Collectors Circle and Friends of the Garden partnered with Arts Alliance Long Island to help raise awareness of the area’s contributions to arts and culture.
Tickets for the event cost $100 and proceeds benefitted the museum’s educational programming.
Additional fundraising opportunities benefitted Family Art Programs, Autism & the Arts, Adults with Memory Loss and Art Partners.
“Arts Alive really feeds our economic development in the region and feed your mind and soul at the same time,” said Theresa Statz-Smith, the executive director of Arts Alliance Long Island. “People think we live in the shadow of New York City’s arts and cultural scene, but we have world-class artists right here in our own backyard.”
The three-hour event began with food and wine tastings from approximately 15 local restaurants and vintners that gave attendees the opportunity to mingle with committee members and “AftermodernisM” artists.
Following the cocktail hour, guests were treated to a brief talk by Katz, who showcased the poets of his print series Face of the Poet also on display at the museum, and walked through the galleries.
“There are so many people on Long Island who don’t know this museum exists and is the gem that it is,” said Ray Sikorski, a member of the museum’s corporate committee for the event. “An event like this is really contemporary and attracts a very diverse group of people who we hope to make members of the museum and committee.”
“AftermodernisM” and “Selections from the Whitney Museum of American Art” each run through Oct. 13.
