Russell Simmons' Art For Life Benefit July 26 in Water Mill

Russell Simmons and his brother, Danny Simmons, will host their 15th Annual Art for Life benefit on Saturday, July 26, in Water Mill at Fairview Farms. The event line-up is star-studded: Soledad O’Brien will be the master of ceremonies and Michael Bloomberg, Valentino D. Carlotti, Jason Flom, Kimora Lee Simmons and Carrie Mae Weems will be the guests of honor. Television personality Star Jones is slated to be the honorary chair of this year’s event.

Art for Life is the primary fundraising initiative of Rush Philanthropic. This year the program will highlight the youth that have grown up through the Rush programs as well as the exemplary individuals who have supported and contributed to the foundation throughout the years.

Like many other charity events Rush Philanthropic will hold an auction as part of their drive to raise money. However, the items up for auction are not your run-of-the-mill contributions. Among the more notable auctions will be dinner with Miss Universe, Gabriela Isler, the chance to “Be A Roadie for a Day” with John Legend, and meet-and-greets with Heidi Klum and Michael Strahan. All the auctions will be listed online beginning July 17 at Charity Buzz.

Proceeds from the auction and event will benefit the foundation’s signature education and gallery programs that serve more than 3,000 inner-city youth each year. Russell and Danny Simmons and Joseph “Rev. Run” Simmons founded Rush Philanthropic in 1995. The foundation provides inner-city kids with exposure and access to the arts as well as providing exhibition opportunities to under-represented and emerging artists.  

To purchase tickets contact Tracey Doolin at Inez Weinstein Special Events tdoolin@inezevents.com or 212-254-6677.