Arts & Entertainment

LongHouse Reserve Raises $420K at 'White Night' Benefit

Acclaimed Chinese artist Ai Weiwei honored along with the late Lisa de Kooning at Saturday's fundraiser.

LongHouse Reserve summer benefit, "White Night," raised $420,000 while honoring Ai Wewei, Richard Meier, and the late Lisa de Kooning on Saturday.

Those in attendance included Dorothy Lichenstein, famed lensmen Bill Cunningham, and Patrick McMullan, de Kooning’s daughters Isabelle, Emmaand Lucy de Kooning Villeneuve, author and former Real Housewife of New York City Kelly Killoren Bensimon, and the Pucci family including Ralph and Ann, Nicole, Maria and Michael.

Weiwei is an internationally acclaimed Chinese contemporary artist and political activist, while White is "architectural legend" Richard Meier. De Kooning, the daughter of Willem de Kooning, was an artist and supporter of the arts.

LongHouse Reserve founder Jack Lenor Larsen helped to host the benefit, organized by LongHouse Reserve president Dianne Benson, executive director Matko Tomicic, and benefit architect committee members Preston Phillips and Lee and Jo Ann Skolnick. Honorary chairs were Martha Stewart, Edward Albee, Jeanne and Herbert Siegel, and Louis and Sandy Grotta.

Renowned saxophonist and founding Philip Glass Ensemble member, Dickie Landry, performed along with Iranian singer and composer, Sussan Deyhim. A dinner was also held, along with an art-filled silent auction and a live auction.

"Though still unable to leave his country due to the his contentious run-ins with the Chinese Communist Party, honoree Ai Weiwei also greeted gala goers via special video appearance," LongHouse said in a statement.


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here