Art, Artists and Essence: BRIC'S Annual Gala Celebrates Brooklyn!
On Thursday November 8, BRIC hosted its annual gala in honor of Brooklyn’s artistic community at the Knockdown Center, featuring artist installations, pop-ups, canapés aplenty and dazzling performances.
Photo Credit: Photo by Jordan Rathkopf. Courtesy of BRIC.
BRIC, the largest non-profit presenter of free arts and cultural programming in Brooklyn, aims to present and incubate work by artists and media-makers who reflect the diversity that surrounds us. The gala honored this year’s 2019 recipients of the Colene Brown Art Prize: Manuel Acevedo, Nicole Awai, Xenobia Bailey, Nona Faustine, Alicia Grullón, Baseera Khan, Heidi Lau, Christopher Myers, Judith Simonian, and Kennedy Yanko.
Photo Credit: Photo by Jordan Rathkopf. Courtesy of BRIC.
Photo Credit: Photo by Jordan Rathkopf. Courtesy of BRIC.
The evening opened with drinks and canapés, as guests mingled around the exhibition space, featuring interactive artwork by Cuban-American artist Yara Travieso, a portrait studio by esteemed photographer Barron Claiborne and a pop-up barbershop by Greg Purnell to name but a few. Red, blue, gold, and green streamers framed the night, while giant piañatas waited patiently for guests to tear them apart.
Photo Credit: Photo by Jordan Rathkopf. Courtesy of BRIC.
Viewing art is hungry business so thankfully an energetic yet intimate dinner was next on the menu. From artistically plated Burrata and beets, to Braised Short Rib with Pistachio Asparagus and finally, delectable Red Velvet Cake, to complete a meal of understated decadence. During dinner, BRIC president Kristina Newman-Scott shared during her opening remarks, “this evening was created to honor artists. It was created by Brooklyn, for Brooklyn”. The night was certainly a showcase of the best of Brooklyn’s artistic community!
Notable dinner guests included fashion influencer twins Cipriana Quann and TK Wonder, fashion designer Reuben Reuel of Demestik, celebrity photographer Barron Claiborne, artist Andrea Bergart, art collector Carla Shen, musician Antoniette Costa, artist Renee Cox, and model Ashley Hart, and commissioner of NYC Department of Cultural Affairs Tom Finkelpearl.
Photo Credit: Photo by Jordan Rathkopf. Courtesy of BRIC.
Following dinner, guests continued the festivities and gathered for the gala’s electric after-party, BRIC After Dark, with music from DJ Moma and performative moments by Tendayi Kuumba, Courtney Cook, and Love Muwwakkil of Urban Bush Women. All the exposed brick alcoves of the Knockdown Center were abuzz and filled with dancing, laughing and whispers into the early hours.
BRIC’s 41-year legacy, as a major New York City cultural institution, was celebrated tenfold across the evening, showcasing and honoring vibrant contemporary art, performing arts, and media programs in a fashion only Brooklyn can pull off.
