The Frick Collection Young Fellows Ball 2023: “Bejeweled”

Photo Credit: Matteo Prandoni/BFA.com

On March 30th was the beautiful yearly Frick Collection Young Fellows Ball 2023: “Bejeweled”.

Each spring, supporters of The Frick Collection and their guests look forward to the annual Young Fellows Ball, the museum’s highly anticipated benefit event.

This year’s event took place on Thursday, March 30, in partnership with Irene Neuwirth, with additional support from Tito’s Handmade Vodka, Catena Zapata, De Soi, Desolas Mezcal, Old Overholt, and Quinn Rosé. For the second year, the Ball was held at Frick Madison, the museum’s temporary home located in Marcel Breuer’s iconic modernist building on the Upper East Side.

Photo Credit: George Koelle

Guests enjoyed a night of art and music along with themed refreshments and hors d’oeuvres and a unique “Step into a Fragonard” photo experience. With special talks and access to the galleries, they were able to experience the Frick’s masterpieces reframed at Frick Madison, a once-in-a-lifetime temporary presentation featuring collection highlights by celebrated artists such as Bellini, Degas, Fragonard, Gainsborough, Ingres, Rembrandt, Titian, Van Dyck, and Veronese.

The Ball’s theme this year, “Bejeweled,” was inspired by the current special exhibition at Frick Madison, The Gregory Gift. The show presents twenty-eight remarkable works of fine and decorative art recently bequeathed to the museum by collector and publisher Alexis Gregory. These eclectic objects, many whimsical in nature, shimmer with gilded surfaces and gemstone accents.

Photo Credit: George Koelle

Proceeds from the Young Fellows Ball provide essential support for the Frick’s many activities, including the programs of the Frick Art Reference Library and the Education Department, which serves students from New York City public schools in all five boroughs as well as digital audiences around the country and the world.

Guests included: Paul Arnhold, Drew Garrison, Ivy Getty, Wes Gordon, Louisa Jacobson, Indré Rockefeller, Irene Neuwirth, Bosilika An, Paul Arnhold, Jeremy Batoff, Marie-Laure Buku Pongo, Eaddy Kiernan Bunzel, Angie Calderwood, Giulio Dalvit, John Grisham, Mercedes de Guardiola, Allison Ecung, Jacqueline Elfe, Drew Garrison, Ivy Getty, Wes Gordon, Alexandra Gray, Alexander Hankin, Fiona Hilton, Louisa Jacobson, Casey Kohlberg, Elizabeth Kurpis, Stirling Larkin, Brian Lei, Teresa Lin, Bach Mai, Araminta Mellon, Irene Neuwirth, Arielle Patrick, Indré Rockefeller, Anita Saggurti, Lizzie Asher, Casey Kohlberg, Allison Ecung, Ian Wardropper, and Blaike Young.

Photo Credit: George Koelle

Music by Angel and food by  Pinch Food Design

The FrickMadison is Internationally recognized as a premier museum and research center, The Frick Collection is known for its distinguished Old Master paintings and outstanding examples of European sculpture and decorative arts. The collection originated with Henry Clay Frick (1849–1919), who bequeathed his Fifth Avenue home along with paintings, sculptures, furniture, and decorative arts to the public for their enjoyment. The institution’s holdings—which encompass masterworks from the Renaissance through the early twentieth century—have grown over the decades, more than doubling in size since the opening of the museum in 1935. A critical component of the institution is the Frick Art Reference Library, founded in 1920 by Helen Clay Frick, daughter of the museum’s founder. Recognized as one of the world’s top art history research centers, it has served students, scholars, and members of the public free of charge for generations. The Frick Collection is currently located at its temporary home, Frick Madison, while its historic buildings undergo renovation and enhancement.

Photo Credit: Matteo Prandoni/BFA.com

THE YOUNG FELLOWS

For more than twenty years, the Young Fellows have helped to ensure that The FrickCollection remains a singular museum experience. The contributions of the Young Fellows support the conservation of the permanent collection, its presentation at FrickMadison, the organization of new special exhibitions and installations, and the museum and library’s world-class public programming. Throughout the year, the young art enthusiasts who make up the Young Fellows enjoy social and educational events and behind-the-scenes access to the Frick.

IRENE NEUWIRTH

Irene Neuwirth is an independent fine jewelry company based in Los Angeles. Founded in 2003 by the eponymous designer, the company has emerged as a leading jewelry brand, recognized by Irene’s whimsical yet ultra-fine design sensibility. The jewelry has generated tremendous editorial attention and is worn by some of the most beautiful women in the world, including Ruth Negga, Brie Larson, Julianne Moore, Charlize Theron, Zoe Saldana, Sarah Paulson, and Reese Witherspoon. In 2014, Irene opened her flagship store on Melrose Place in West Hollywood. The jewel box space was designed by Pam Shamshiri and marked the first time Irene’s vision was realized in a full brand experience. In December 2022, Irene opened a second flagship on Madison Avenue, a fantastical ode to magical surrealism filled with one-of-a-kind creations.