Karen Mehiel, Kim Light, Tabasum Mir
Photo: BFA

With the benefit gala season finally getting into full swing, Tuesday night was the perfect time for Artadia’s 15 Annual Benefit Auction. Held at the palatial Upper East Side home of board member Karen Mehiel and her husband Dennis, the event was attended by artist Justin Lowe, author Stephanie LaCava, and Lower East Side gallerists Rachel Uffner and Catinca Tabacaru, along with a a slew of other VIPs from various sectors of the art world.

Heather Hubbs, Church Lewis, Catinca Tabacaru, Chris Vroom
Photo: BFA

In addition to works by artists like Cindy Sherman and Dan Colen, the auction also featured unique experiential items like a ski weekend for two with Matthew Day Jackson and floor seats for the Brooklyn Nets provided by Rashid Johnson. It’s no surprise the gala managed to raise over $250,000, which will go to support Artadia’s mission of providing grants to artists in Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, and San Francisco.

Founded in San Francisco by art collector and entrepreneur Christopher E. Vroom in 1997, Artadia has awarded over $3 million dollars to 285 artists over the past 15 years. By providing merit-based grants between $5,000 and $20,000, the organization invests in the fiscal, social and artistic welfare of artists, as well as burgeoning art communities.