Every year, the Armory Show marks the art world’s “back to school” moment, as galleries, curators, and artists reassemble after the summer lull. That’s not a pithy new metaphor—you’ll hear it repeated on the fair floor, in art publications, and even at parties, like Wet Paint’s own homecoming fête, which kicked off the week on Tuesday.

Insiders, Artnet PRO members, and a few well-dressed interlopers gathered at the club beneath Jean’s, NoHo’s eatery of the moment to toast the art world’s return.

Party gatekeeper Jonah Almost. Photo by Elvin Tavarez.

The scene upon entering. Photo by Elvin Tavarez.

While Wet Paint columnist Annie Armstrong held court late into the night downstairs, partygoers crowded the line on the street to get past the doorman, Jonah Almost, a delightful gentleman who, when not moonlighting at Armory Week’s hottest soirée, is a techno chanteur, and semi-nude model for artist duo Pierre et Gilles (he makes a cameo in their exhibition on view at Galerie Templon in Paris right now).

Annie Armstrong with a fan. Photo by Elvin Tavarez.

Our thanks to Casamigos for keeping the party whet. Photo by Elvin Tavarez.

Once past the charming gatekeeper, revelers traversed a moody, red tunnel to reach the party’s lounge, where bartenders poured cocktails courtesy of Casamigos—the buzzy tequila brand’s signature Paloma, and its dirty martini, whose robust strength was the talk of the dance floor, where bodies bounced to the funky house beats by Thieves Like Us and Jamiroquai, all spun by DJ Jackson Walker Lewis.

The entrance. Photo by Elvin Tavarez.

Photo by Elvin Tavarez.

It was that special kind of night where you seamlessly move from group to group, dancing with strangers. Cheeks were kissed, pregnancies were announced, and looks befitting the first day of school were served, as local creatives and those in town for the fair all caught each other up on their summers.

This week indeed holds all the same promise, and nerves, that always characterized that formative, annual rite of passage, especially as the art world hopes for a good year ahead amid market anxieties.

Artnet News Editor-in-Chief Naomi Rea with critic Ben Davis and Artnet News staff writers Sarah Cascone, Adam Schrader, and Annikka Olsen. Photo by Elvin Tavarez.

Jonathan Gardenhire associate director at Hauser and Wirth, giving us a lesson in the art of the smize. Photo by Elvin Tavarez.

But, did our guests like the first day of school growing up? “No way,” said Mackenzie Kirkpatrick of Casey Kaplan, when I touched base with him outside, waiting in line. “Most of it was anxious. Especially because I grew up in big suburbs, like a John Hughes situation, so it was a big to do. In summer, you get to see who you want to see.”

Hair artist Bohdi Lone. Photo by Elvin Tavarez.

Julia Santos, Sabrina Hall, Haley Chalmers. Photo by Elvin Tavarez.

Inside, however, Claire Jones of Independent Curators International told me “I loved it,” as we spoke while dancing to Walker Lewis’s irresistible jams. “I love the smell of pencils, first day outfits, thinking about what classes you’re gonna have.”

The DJ booth slash dance floor dichotomy. Photo by Elvin Tavarez.

Canadian actresses Madeleine Arthur and Djouliet Amara. Photo by Elvin Tavarez.

“I’m a mixed feelings girl,” gallerist Christine Berry recalled of her first day of school experiences, ahead of Berry Campbell’s presentation on the main floor at The Armory Show. “I’m excited but scared all at once.”

DJ Jackson Walker Lewis in the booth. Photo by Elvin Tavarez.

Isaiah Davis, Whitney Mallett. Photo by Elvin Tavarez.

“I honestly think I blacked out every back-to-school memory,” model Georgia Moot told me as she caught a breath of fresh air outside.

Art consultant Anwarii Musa, architect Ray Dorcely Jr. Photo by Elvin Tavarez.

Georgia Moot (center) strikes a pose with her friends Dougal MacArthur and Andromedalee. Photo by Elvin Tavarez.

“It feels like the real new year for me,” the recently New York-based artist Elliot Reed said of the good old back to school season. When I asked him if he had any resolutions for this new art world year dawning, he replied, “No comment.”

So, we hope for the best, for the art world and beyond. If this week’s Wet Paint party was any indication, this year is going to be our year.

Elliott Reed (center) lounging with friends, Isaiah Davis and New York-based artist Louis Osmosis (right). Photo by Elvin Tavarez.

Guest exiting. Photo by Elvin Tavarez.