Polaroid Party

It’s hard to get out of the hot seat when you have Simon de Pury around. That’s the lesson that actress Michelle Monaghan got last week at the Portraits and Polaroids art auction to benefit Free Arts NYC, an organization that provides underprivileged children and their families with art and mentoring programs.

Sponsored by 7 For All Mankind and Vanity Fair, the event is known for its high profile live auction of original Polaroid 20×24 images from artists including Chuck Close, Marilyn Minter, Richard Prince and Christopher Wool.

Bidding for a James Nares nude, Monaghan was playfully roused by the animated auctioneer about her feature film, Made of Honor (which opened last weekend), her new It-Girl Hollywood status and corresponding paycheck that, in his opinion, would allow her to bid another $1000 for the piece.

The event raised a staggering $800,000, surpassing last year with the big sale of the night going to the Chuck Close photograph for $65,000. In the silent auction, two eager bidders battled it out for a painting entitled, “I Love You,” by Yoko Ono, that ultimately sold for $18,000. The generous artist, after learning about the interest in her work, donated a second painting that was sold to the under-bidder for another $18,000.

Catered by Williamson Calvert, the cocktail party and auction was attended by co-chairs Amy Sacco and Mary Alice Stephenson and committee members Georgina Chapman, Erin Fetherston, Mazdack Rassi, Amanda Ross, Peter Som and John Varvatos as well as Lipstick Jungle stars, Lindsay Price and Kim Raver. Unfortunately, handsome co-chair Clive Owen was away on location shooting a movie with Julia Roberts.

But, among all of the bold-faced names, the true stars of the night were the kids who came out at the end of the live auction to hold up signs that spelled out, “Thank You,” for the sponsorship of their art programs.

A small yet sweet reminder of how art brings joy to everyone.

To make a donation to Free Arts NYC, contact 212-974-9092 or visit their web site.

PHOTO CREDIT: Paul Porter for Patrick McMullan