Last evening, former Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg and E. John Rosenwald, Jr., Vice Chairman JP Morgan Chase were honored by Publicolor, at their annual fundraising benefit, Stir, Splatter + Roll one of the most colorful, high spirited, and unique events on the calendar. They were both honored for their longtime support of Publicolor and its programs.
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| E. John Rosenwald |
The not-for-profit organization was founded in 1996 by the extremely creative Ruth Lande Shuman and from the start, its mission has been to “engage students in their education, targeting the most underserved communities and underperforming schools with the most seriously disadvantaged middle and high school students in New York City”. What could be better than a colorful event that combines fashion, art, and design; and it’s all for a good cause?
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| Publicolor Students |
Using the power of color, collaboration and community the organization helps to engage at risk students in their education by teaching them painting and life skills. In fact, their motto is: “From Paint Can to College- Publicolor students don’t drop out”.
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| dinner settings |
Central to the mission is the beautification and revitalization of public and civic spaces and the venue for this event has long been the Martin Luther King Jr. High School on Amsterdam Avenue between 65th and 66th Streets, which is a ‘publicolored’ school of course.
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| Painting Stations |
But last evening, in celebration of its 20th anniversary, the location was changed to the Metropolitan Pavilion on west 18th Street. The loft like space with high ceilings was literally bathed in color. Including colorful cocktails, which guests (many in colorful attire) could enjoy while painting totes (in one of the 20 painting stations set up) alongside some of the city’s leading artists, architects, and fashion designers which this year, included Nicole Miller and Michelle Smith. Everywhere you looked, you saw guests in their white Tyvek jumpsuits which were provided. Speaking of color, many of the guests dressed in art inspired, colorful attire (Ruth Lande Shuman wore a colorful Issey Miyake top with a black Prada skirt).
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| Jeffrey Banks |
Jeffrey Banks, a huge supporter of Publicolor and a past honoree (2013),served as Master of Ceremonies for the seated dinner this year. Among the approximately 540 guests (civic minded New Yorkers representing the worlds of business, fashion, politics, design, education, and philanthropy) were Police Commissioner Bill Bratton and his wife Rikki Klieman, former chancellor of the NYC Board of Education Rudy Crew, famed environmental artist Christo, artist and author Michele Oka Doner, Stan Herman, Georgina Bloomberg, Tziporah Salamon, Barbara Flood.
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| Stan Herman and Barbara Flood in colorful attire |
Over one million dollars was raised and all the money will go towards Publicolor’s mission to engage disconnected students in their education while reinforcing strong work habits that will prepare them for college and life
– Marilyn Kirschner
