On Thursday, October 29th, New York’s influential art collectors, cultural tastemakers, and philanthropic leaders gathered at The Grill in Manhattan’s iconic Seagram Building for the 32nd annual ARTWALK NY, benefiting the Coalition for the Homeless. The evening celebrated the intersection of contemporary art and social responsibility, honoring acclaimed artists KAWS and Julia Chiang, alongside entrepreneur and philanthropist Rich Kleiman, for their contributions to the arts and the greater New York community.
A longstanding fixture on the city’s cultural and philanthropic calendar, ARTWALK NY has become a gathering where artistic expression meets meaningful impact. This year’s celebration brought together an impressive cross-section of the art, fashion, entertainment, and philanthropic worlds for an evening of cocktails, dinner, and spirited fundraising.
Among the distinguished guests were Grammy-winning music producer Mark Ronson, artists Lee Quiñones, Futura 2000, Shantell Martin, Nicolas Party, Derrick Adams, and Tomokazu Matsuyama, alongside designer Brian Atwood, art advisor Aileen Agopian, nightlife personality Dianne Brill, and guests Polina Proshkina and Dr. Jordan Wise.
Ronson took the stage to present Kleiman, co-founder and CEO of Boardroom, with the evening’s philanthropic honor, recognizing his longstanding commitment to supporting New Yorkers experiencing homelessness. Artist Lee Quiñones presented honors to KAWS and Chiang, acknowledging their artistic achievements and dedication to community engagement.
KAWS, whose distinctive visual language has made him one of contemporary art’s most recognizable figures, and Chiang, celebrated for her vibrant paintings and ceramic works, joined a distinguished legacy of ARTWALK honorees that includes Louise Bourgeois, Robert Rauschenberg, Cindy Sherman, and Ed Ruscha.
A highlight of the evening was the Coalition’s celebrated Artist Plate Project, featuring original works created on fine bone-china plates by 40 prominent contemporary artists. Contributions from KAWS, Jenny Holzer, Mickalene Thomas, Kenny Scharf, Derrick Adams, and the Haas Brothers, among others, offered collectors an opportunity to acquire exceptional works while supporting an essential cause. Since its inception in 2020, the initiative has raised more than $8 million for the organization.
Beyond the glamour of the evening, ARTWALK NY served as a reminder of the urgent challenges facing New York City. Founded in 1981, the Coalition for the Homeless provides critical services ranging from emergency meals and clothing to housing assistance, eviction prevention, and educational programs for children and families.
Over the past year alone, the organization served more than 400,000 meals, distributed over $1 million in clothing and emergency supplies, and helped nearly 900 families avoid eviction.
As guests gathered in support of a shared mission, ARTWALK NY once again demonstrated the extraordinary influence of New York’s creative community when united by philanthropy. In a city defined by its cultural ambition and generosity, the evening was a celebration not only of artistic achievement, but of the enduring responsibility to care for one another.
