Over $3.4 Million Raised At amfAR’s Venice Gala
Colman Domingo and Jude Law having a laugh at the amfAR Venice Gala | Image Credit: Getty
Actor Jude Law presented artist Julian Schnabel with the Award for Inspiration
amfAR hosted its fourth ever Venice gala last night, during the 82nd Venice Film Festival. Held at the Arsenale, the gala dinner was one of the organization’s best galas that saw the likes of Kevin Spacey, Jude Law, and Jesse Williams. The evening felt communal and familial, with guests gathered under one mission: to raise money for HIV and AIDS research. Since launching the inaugural gala at the Venice Film Festival 5 years ago, amfAR has now raised over $10 million in this city alone.
Since its first ever Venice gala, amfAR has raised over $10 million. Last night was made possible by amfAR’s Presenting Sponsor the World Gold Council, Chopard the Signature Sponsor, and the San Clemente Palace Venice as the official hotel partner. Other partners included Boroli Wines, Campari, RUMOR Rosé, and Variety.
amfAR CEO Kevin Robert Frost, amfAR Board Member Jeff Schoenfeld and amfAR Board Co-Chair T. Ryan Greenawalt | Image Credit: Ryan Emberley.
Julian Schnabel, Halsey and Simon de Pury | Image Credit: Getty
Image Credit: Colby Tallia
As guests arrived via boat, they were welcomed with a dreamy navy-blue carpet that led to the photo call. A wall of the auctioned art was featured at the base of the cocktail party, while a Campari bar served spritz and negroni drinks. For two hours guests mingled and posed for pictures, while some did interviews in front of the World Gold Council photo booth. If you know amfAR’s outgoing CEO Kevin Frost, then you’re familiar with his humble charm and gracious hospitality. He welcomed guests personally throughout the cocktail hour.
Paris Jackson | Image Credit: Ryan Emberley
As the dinner announcement was made, guests entered the dimly lit space to find their tables. Thirty plus divinely decorated tables filled the room and over the course of the night, a 3-course dinner was served. The night’s host was actor and playwright Colman Domingo, who opened the dinner by welcoming guests. “To this day, every minute, one person dies of AIDS-related causes,” he told the audience. “And every single minute, two people join the 40 million people worldwide living with HIV.”
amfAR board member T. Ryan Greenawalt took to the stage to talk about amfAR’s missional feats. “Advances in HIV research have led to new treatments for cancer, improved vaccine technology, and therapies for people with autoimmune disorders," he said in his speech. Paris Jackson, who wore a flamboyant gold-yellow pleated dress on the navy carpet was the opening performance. Playing the guitar, she sang two emotional and intimate songs.
The first auction item of the night was the limited-edition Cracking Art Sculpture: Giant Crocodile, whose opening bid started at €10k ($11,683) and sold for €20k ($23,369), which renowned auctioneer Simon de Pury led with enthusiastic energy. Grey’s Anatomy actor Jesse Williams took to the stage to present the Zanzibar Collection: Baraza Resort and Spa, whose opening bid started at €20k ($23,369) and sold for €50k ($58,423).
Actor Jude Law introduced artist Julian Schnabel on stage, who was given amfAR’s Award of Inspiration. In receiving his award, he spoke on how art is a way to break through the prism of sickness. Two of his commissioned plate portraits bid started at €200k and sold for €500k each, reaching a total of €1 million. Schnabel purposely and spontaneously made two portraits so that both bidders could win, doubling the donation amount.
Caroline Scheufele and Sofia Carson | Image Credit: Getty
Jesse Williams and Laura Harrier presenting on stage | Image Credit: Getty
Caroline Scheufele, the President of Chopard also attended. A longtime supporter of amfAR, the renowned jewelry brand donated a pair of Chopard earrings for the auction. Other auction pieces included work by Andy Warhol, Landon Metz and Jim Dine.
Closing out the night was American singer and songwriter Ava Max, who got the audience to their feet while she performed her viral hit “Sweet but Psycho.” After the gala, guests made their way to the San Clemente Hotel for the afterparty that lasted until the wee hours of the morning.
A new CEO
It was announced in March that after thirty plus years at amfAR (19 as CEO), Kevin Frost would be retiring and handing over the baton of chief executive to Kyle Clifford, who Frost brought on to the amfAR team five years ago.
Frost is widely applauded for curating amfAR’s sophisticated galas, and ushering in dynamic feats where funds raised have soared over the years, benefitting research that has now significantly reduced probability of mother-to-child transmission of the HIV virus, and even cured 10 patients recently.
Little known is that Frost was also behind amfAR’s highest-ever selling item, the bones of a 10-foot tall mammoth titled “Gone But Not Forgotten” that Damien Hirst plated in 24-karat gold. The dramatic piece sold for $15 million to Len Blavatnik, a renowned patron of the arts, in 2014 and can now be viewed at the Faena Hotel in Miami.
A few weeks ago, Frost partnered with Gery Keszler - the organizer of the Life Ball - to host the first-ever amfAR gala in Salzburg. A theatrical production featuring actor Jeremy Irons was held in the stunning Austrian mansion Schloss Leopoldskron made world-famous by the Sound of Music. Outfits for the cast were designed by Andreas Kronthaler, husband of the late the Vivien Westwood and her team, and the event itself was sponsored by BMW and supported by Lebanese luxury brand Elie Saab, amongst others.
There is much excitement as Frost and his team are also preparing for amfAR to host its first-ever London gala. The gala will take place on October 17th and will be the first event at the new Chancery Rosewood hotel, which is in the former US embassy building. Artist Dame Tracey Emin will receive the Award of Inspiration.
amfAR’s new CEO Kyle Clifford will take the helm as CEO after Frost. With 20+ years of experience in the private and nonprofit sectors, and working in strategic donor development and business development, Clifford has overseen success for amfAR’s fundraising programs. Known for his astute business instincts, it’s no doubt that Kyle will be a worthy successor to the incredibly popular and groundbreaking leadership of Frost (who also happens to be an incredibly talented opera singer).
Since 1985, amfAR has raised nearly $950 million in support of its programs and has awarded more than 3,800 grants to research teams worldwide.
