Cool, Young Art Patrons Filled the Whitney Museum for Its Annual Art Party

Museum fundraisers have a reputation for being stuffy and strict, but year after year, the Whitney Museum of American Art’s Art Party is one of the most boisterous nights of the season.

Last night, the annual event, which benefits the Whitney’s Independent Study Program, was cohosted by Olivia Palermo, Nigel Sylvester, Michael Carl, Micaela Erlanger, and Jamian Juliano-Villani. And boy, did it live up to its reputation. At 7 p.m., a slew of glamorous guests attended the pre–Art Party dinner on the museum’s third floor. Champagne coupe towers graced every table, along with gold confetti, chains, and chainmail. Carolina Herrera’s creative director, Wes Gordon, animatedly chatted with Katie Holmes, who wore a black off-the-shoulder blouse and trousers he designed. Fall Risk designer John Targon, in an act of spectacular off-the-cuff creativity, cobbled together a wearable top from tablescape materials, which he gifted to Vogue’s Lilah Ramzi. Uncut Gems’s Julia Fox turned heads in a stunning royal blue ensemble.

After a family-style meal of miso-glazed black bass, beef tenderloin, and cavatelli with leeks, mushrooms, and kale, singer Zsela took the stage. She lulled the crowd with her smooth sounds and dry wit. In between songs, she deadpanned to the audience: “How’s the food?” When she sang “Noise,” with the lyrics “So you begin to hold on / To all of the little things / That you left behind,” a noticeable hush fell over the room.

As the dinner came to an end, the Art Party began to rage downstairs. DJs by Dizzy Fae, Okay Kaya, and Shyboi blasted tunes, while guests downed negronis in style. Those looking for a midnight snack merely had to wander over to Darren Bader’s untitled installation, where fruits and vegetables are placed on pedestals and later chopped into a fruit salad. (Take that, Art Basel banana!)