Henry Street Celebrates Successful Gala Preview at Independent
By Henry Street Settlement
Mayowa Nwadike, Souleo, Beau McCall. Photo by David Benthal.
Against the backdrop of the East River at Pier 36, on Thursday, May 14, Henry Street Settlement launched its inaugural Gala Preview at Independent, the celebrated invitation-only show for contemporary art in New York. Blending art-world excellence, downtown creative energy, and a deeply rooted philanthropic mission, the evening welcomed nearly 2,000 visitors including collectors, artists, patrons, and supporters – raising $600,000 in unrestricted funding to advance the Settlement’s vital community programs.
Independent’s debut at its new home, together with Henry Street’s Gala Preview moving downtown, marked an exciting moment in the ever evolving cultural landscape of the Lower East Side. Known for spotlighting emerging voices and visionary artists, Independent presented 76 gallery exhibitions featuring over 100 artists – adding a fresh and notable presence to an already distinctive downtown arts scene, steps from Henry Street’s headquarters.
Left: Beni Metsch, Mellany Sanchez, Angelo Baque. Right: Brian Lee, Catherine Curly Lee, Jeffrey Tucker.
Photos by Skylar Searing.
Left: Dale Burch, David Garza. Right: Whitney Mallett, Isaiah Davis.
Photos by Skylar Searing.
“The Gala Preview at Independent launched an exciting new collaboration to support the intersection of the art world with our community,” said Henry Street president and CEO David Garza. “We thank Independent for its enthusiastic embrace of Henry Street and the work we do, and we thank our generous sponsors and committees for their profound commitment to both our social services and to providing access to the arts and creative expression for all. We could not be prouder to share in creating a new ecosystem within the art world that carves a fresh path toward opportunity.”
Laura Raicovich, Elizabeth Dee. Photo by David Benthal.
While perusing the artworks on display through the expansive Lower East Side venue, guests enjoyed delicious catering by Great Performances and a signature cocktail named the Henry Street Art Tymer.
Moving its annual fundraising event to the Lower East Side has deep resonance for Henry Street Settlement, which has developed deep roots in the community over its 133-year history. Since its founding, the agency has provided not only social and health care services but also access to creative expression as a fundamental part of human wellness and social progress. By bringing together some of New York’s leading benefactors in support of Henry Street, the Gala Preview at Independent raised critical funding for core programs that help our neighbors find jobs, learn English, access food, pursue higher education, secure mental health care and housing, participate in arts programming and build pathways to long-term success.
Leyla Fischer, Hannah Gottlieb-Graham, Sabina Habib. Photo by David Benthal.
To view more of photos from Henry Street Settlement’s Gala Preview at Independent, please visit here.
With deep gratitude to the Gala Preview’s generous sponsors, Committees and supporters (see full list here), including lead supporters:
Lillian Wald Leaders – A&O Sherman, Bloomberg Philanthropies, Margaret & Richard Boyden, Evette & Scott Ferguson, and Glenview Capital.
Henry Street Heroes –Iris Abrons, Jill Blickstein, Robert & Jane Harrison, Roy M. Korins & Gillian Zackman, Philip & Barbara Kutzko, NewYork-Presbyterian, and Gary & Iris Posternack.
Changemakers – Anne Abrons & David F. Sharpe, Fale & Bob Burch, DLA Piper, Mary & Brian Donley, Michael & Alexa Chae, Liane Ginsberg Family Fund, Marty Haessler & Edward Pallesen, Ian & Lea Highet, Hope Holiner & Michael Wolkowitz, Independent, Trinity Church NYC, and Catherin & Tracy Wolstencroft.
In addition, we share enormous appreciation to our extraordinary:
Host Committee –Marla Aaron, Rachel Antonoff, Angelo Baque, Julia Chiang & Brian Donnelly, Anne Collier & Matthew Higgs, Elizabeth Dee, India Ennenga & Ben Ganz, JiaJia Fei, Nate Freeman, Hannah Gottlieb-Graham, Luis Guzmán, Nicolas Heller, Jack Irv, Gia Kuan, Fran Lebowitz, Whitney Mallett, Johnny Marines, Beni Metsch, Chrissie Miller & Leo Fitzpatrick, Montez Press Radio, David Prutting, Lee Quiñones, Kareem Rahma, Laura Raicovich, and Mellány Sánchez.
And, Special Events Committee – Peter B. Brandt & Scott D. Ferguson, co-chairs, with Dale J. Burch, Melissa R. Burch, James Fuentes, Theodore Liouliakis, Angela Mariani, Richard H. Neiman, Mohamad Merilan, Akash Dev Mishra, Edward S. Pallesen, Pilar Crespi Robert, Lesley G. Schulhof, Neil S. Suslak, Jeffrey H. Tucker, and Laurie Weltz.
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Henry Street Settlement opens doors of opportunity for Lower East Side residents and other New Yorkers through social services, arts, and health care programs. Founded in 1893, the organization is distinguished by its commitment to listening to and learning from its neighbors—and then acting to meet the most pressing needs of our community. The Settlement offers more than 50 programs to people of all ages in the areas of Employment & Education, Transitional & Supportive Housing, Health & Wellness, Senior Services, and Visual and Performing Arts.
