Photo Credit: Randy Shropshire/Getty Images for The Rush Philanthropic Art FoundationRussell Simmons brought his charitable Rush Philanthropic Art Foundation’s Art for Life event to Los Angeles for the first time ever this week.
The event, which was held at the philanthropist’s West Hollywood home, honored Troy Carter and Goldie Hawn for their careers and philanthropic achievements, as well as their unyielding dedication to youth, arts and education initiatives.
The fete, which was co-hosted by Danny Simmons, also featured a spotlight tour of Russell Simmons’ contemporary art collection, led by Andrea Fiuczynski, EVP/Chairman, Sotheby’s Americas.
Guests at the Merrill Lynch-sponsored bash included Host Committee members James Andrews, Nicole A. Bernard, Amanda & Shepard Fairey, Chloe Flower, Paul Gerben, Philippe Hoerle-Guggenheim, Tamara Mellon, Camilla Olsson, Suzy Ryoo, and Jim Williams. Additional guests included Devon Aoki, Adrienne Bailon, Fonzworth Bentley, Lyriq Bent, DJ Cassidy, Mayte Garcia, Jackie Long, Lucy McIntosh, O’Neal McNight, Isley Nicole Melton, Michael Ovitz and Dr. Drew Pinsky.
Art for Life Los Angeles benefitted Rush Philanthropic Arts Foundation’s arts education programs for inner city youth and gallery programs for emerging artists and curators, as well as the opportunity to extend our reach to support the youth and communities in Los Angeles.
The non-profit, now celebrating its 21st year, was founded in 1995 by brothers Russell, Danny and Joseph “Rev. Run” Simmons, a 501c3 organization, dedicated to providing inner-city youth with significant exposure and access to the arts, and to offering exhibition opportunities for emerging and underrepresented artists. Over the past 21 years, Rush has developed a broad base of friends, collaborators and supporters dedicated to supporting its mission. In addition to the 3,000 students served annually in its education programs, each year Rush exhibits the work of over 100 emerging and community-based artists in its galleries, and welcomes over 10,000 gallery visitors to its spaces in Chelsea, Manhattan, New York (Rush Arts Gallery) and Brooklyn, New York (Corridor Gallery).
Photo Credit: Randy Shropshire/Getty Images for The Rush Philanthropic Art Foundation