Free Arts NYC Annual Auction: A Chic-Fest for the Style Set and Chuck Bass?

News from Our NY Editor at Large

Every once in a while I find myself covered in glitter, glue, and puffy paint (I heart!) while volunteering at Free Arts Day, a Saturday arts festival for kids to build their creativity and self-confidence. I’ve been partnered with the silliest little girls who move from station to station leaving messy projects (and me!) in their sparkly dust, as well as meticulous boys who shock me with their eye for detail and desire to make the perfect gingerbread house (my kind of man). The kids have a blast, and I have an excuse to release my decoupage-loving inner 10-year-old.

These festivals are just one example of the amazing programs created by Free Arts NYC. Monday night I headed to their annual art auction hosted by Francisco Costa of Calvin Klein, Glenda Bailey of Harper’s Bazaar, and David Granger of Esquire (to name drop but a few). The people at Calvin Klein transformed their space in the Garment District into an art gallery and filled it with chic-ettes and hipsters alike.

Calvin Klein’s space in the Garment District was transformed into an art gallery for the auction.

In my opinion, the best part of any important event is getting ready, especially when your outfit includes look-at-me hot pink, a Thakoon label, and sexy Miu Miu heels. I asked my friend Ike, who has some killer style, to be my date to the soirée, and he did not disappoint. (Love ya, Ike!) In true New Yorker form, we hit the bar directly upon arrival then surveyed the scene. Karolina Kurkova: check. Molly Sims: check. Kevin Bacon: check. Wait, is that Chuck Bass, er, I mean Ed Westwick? Wow, he is so short in person!

At left, Creative Director of Calvin Klein Men’s Italo Zucchelli with Kevin Bacon. At right, Mary Alice Stephenson, auctioneer Simon de Pury, and Molly Sims.

We perused the walls of art that were part of the silent auction, stopping to admire a few and scratching our heads at others (glitter specks on a piece of paper?). I stopped to chat with an editor I used to work with at Glamour and then ran into a stylist I had taken spin class with earlier that day. She seemed shocked at my appearance. “I clean up well,” I sheepishly shrugged and vowed to work on my gym look! I was desperate for a picture of Ike and me, so I asked someone I thought was a waiter to take our picture. He was pretty cute and quite accommodating, but it turns out he was Jason Rogers the Olympic fencer—oops! I’ll be sure to credit you, Jason!

At left, Ike and me, photo courtesy of Jason Rogers. At right, DJ Donna D'Cruz.

Ike and I hung around for the live auction to check out the covetable goods and also to get a load of the famous auctioneer, Simon de Pury. I felt like I was at a Swiss square dance, but he certainly has a way with the bidders! The hors d’oeuvres were few and far between, so we bailed to grab dinner on the Lower East Side.

All in all, the event was superb: cool beats, lots of drinks, and people watching at its best. Not to mention all the proceeds support more Free Arts Days. That means more days ending with me covered in glitter and glue, but when a little kid won’t let go when you hug him goodbye, ruining your Current/Elliott jeans and manicure is totally worth it.

-Joyann