The Studio Museum in Harlem’s 50th Anniversary Celebration
On October18, 2018, Empire served as the producer of The Studio Museum in Harlem’s 50thanniversary celebration, with artistic direction by Red Maple Leaf. The annualGala took place at the historic Park Avenue Armory in New York City with over800 artists, philanthropists, cultural leaders, civic leaders, and businessleaders in attendance, to celebrate the Studio Museum’s important role inpromoting the work of artists of African descent as the Museum prepares toconstruct a new home at its longtime location on Manhattan’s West 125thStreet.
Guestsmade their way to cocktails by walking through some of the Armory’s historicand magnificent reception rooms. Upon entering the Wade Thompson Drill Hall,one of the largest unobstructed spaces in New York City, guests’ attention wasdrawn to a statement floral installation located in the middle of the cocktailspace, surrounded by highboys with matching centerpieces and black sequinlinens.
Tosignal the start of dinner, 30-foot high drapes were pulled back to reveal therest of the Drill Hall. Guests were invited to the dinner space with a swell inmusic performed live by JukeBox Atlanta. A grand stage with sheer drape andlong hanging crystal garlands, flanking screens, and tall statementcenterpieces highlighted by pinspots on each table also drew the guests’attention to dinner.
Theevening’s program featured remarks by Co-Chairs Jacqueline L. Bradley, KathrynC. Chenault, Carol Sutton Lewis, and Dr. Amelia Ogunlesi; Thelma Golden,Director and Chief Curator; and Raymond J. McGuire, Chairman of the Board.First Lady of New York City Chirlane McCray presented the Studio Museum with aMayoral Proclamation to commemorate the Museum’s historic 50 year legacy. The 13thannual Joyce Alexander Wein Prize, supported by George Wein, was presented toLos Angeles-based artist Diedrick Brackens, confirming the rise of aboundary-defying young artist who has emerged within only the past seven years.Nancy Lane, a long-time member of the Studio Museum’s Board of Trustees andcurrently the Chair of the Acquisition Committee, Co-Chair of the BuildingCommittee, Chair of the Program and Collection Committee, and a member of theNominating Committee, was also recognized that evening.
Theevening ended with dancing on the sleek black dance floor to another live setby Jukebox Atlanta, and desserts in what was previously the cocktails space.
The Galaraised over $4 million in support of the Studio Museum’s operating costs,including key initiatives such as the collaborative, community-enriching inHarlem exhibitions and programs.
Empirewas proud to work closely with the Studio Museum and Red Maple Leaf teams todeliver a flawless and memorable evening for The Studio Museum in Harlem.
Formore information on The Studio Museum in Harlem, please visit https://www.studiomuseum.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
