The 18th Annual Artwalk Art Auction for Coalition for the Homeless
On November 7, 2012, Empire Entertainment once again served as producer of the Coalition for the Homeless’ 18th annual ARTWALK NY – New York's premier contemporary art auction event. More than 600 Coalition supporters, art collectors and enthusiasts, and celebrities came together in 82 Mercer for a night of festivities, including a live and silent auction. Artist Jack Pierson was honored for using his art to raise awareness of pressing social issues, and photographer Patrick McMullan was honored for his dedication and support of the Coalition.
The silent and live auction featured over 120 works of contemporary art donated by some of the world’s most celebrated artists including Andy Warhol, Shepard Fairey, Wade Guyton and Ed Ruscha. All of the biggest names in the art world were represented and up for auction, all benefiting the Coalition’s efforts to end homelessness in New York City.The evening, generously sponsored by FENDI, began with hors d’oeuvres by Silkstone and cocktails graciously provided by Belvedere Vodka, and wines donated by Brancott Estate. Several of New York’s best restaurants, including The National, Macao Trading Company, Indochine, The Odeon, David Burke Kitchen, and Michael’sprovided tasting stations.In the live auction room, Sotheby’s Senior Vice President Aileen Agopian auctioned off original works by honorees Jack Pierson and Patrick McMullan as well as works by Andy Warhol, Wade Guyton, Ed Ruscha, Jenny Holzer, Kim McCarty, Louise Fishman, Barnaby Furnas, Adam Fuss, Roxy Paine and Cindy Sherman.
The rest of 82 Mercer's multi-room space served as a gallery for the silent auction. Throughout the night, guests bid on and purchased works from established and emerging artists like Yoko Ono, Leonard Rosenfeld, Olaf Breuning, and Swoon. The silent auction featured works ranging from paintings and photographs to sculptures and installation pieces.Working closely with Coalition for the Homeless’ events team, Empire Entertainment served as overall producer of the event and was responsible for aspects ranging from event design, layout, production and logistics to décor and restaurant coordination.ARTWALK NY raised over $900,000 for the Coalition for the Homeless. Empire Entertainment is honored to have worked in collaboration with the Coalition for the Homeless and its many supporters, to make this year’s ARTWALK NY event the most successful one yet.
To learn more about the Coalition for the Homeless or to get involved and donate, visit www.coalitionforthehomeless.org
Guests received their first taste of technological innovation at registration, where they were welcomed by name on a reactive LED screen installation covering the full width of the entry wall. A large lunch café was created with a décor scheme that incorporated custom-built, ceiling-high steel LED frames draped with foliage to create smaller, intimate restaurant-style spaces that displayed both technology and nature.
A series of breakout sessions presented content targeted to attendees’ varied interests, while imagery displayed throughout the venue showcased real-life applications of how products designed to empower developers help to unleash the power of data and reimagine possibilities that will improve our world.
Every element of Microsoft Connect(); from registration, breakfast and keynote, to lunch and evening cocktails, were custom-designed to communicate exacting brand messaging and to deliver a high-touch guest experience to this important audience. The keynote and breakout sessions were livestreamed through an onsite studio built for this purpose and content was watched online by millions around the world.
Empire is proud to collaborate with Microsoft on this annual, top-tier business communication event.
To view excerpts of Connect(); 2017, please visit https://www.microsoft.com/connectevent
