While votes for winners of the mid-term election were still being tallied, the Museum of Arts and Design celebrated winning “Annual Visionaries” of the art world with their MAD Ball 2018 at Cipriani 42nd Street.

Anna Sui, Chris Scoates

Five outstanding individuals and organizations were being honored for their contributions to the fields of art, craft, and design. These were Bottega Veneta, Cadillac, California based artist Nancy Rubins, Annabelle Selldorf (Principal of Selldorf Architects), and Sugar Hill Capital Partners.

Andi Potamkin Blackmore, Shannon Stratton, Melissa Urfirer Gottesman

The inaugural Burke Prize (named after collectors and trustees Marian and Russell Burke) which awards an unrestricted $50,000 for a professional artist under the age of 45 working in craft, was announced at the dinner. Selected from a pool of 500 applicants and 16 finalists the winner is Cannupa Hanska Luger whose work centers around issues facing indigenous peoples in the U.S. and Canada.

Joan Hornig, Barbara Tober

Arriving a few minutes early since I was only staying for cocktails, I observed a few extremely influential people being held out in the slight drizzle until the designated hour of 6:30 p.m. Once inside the mood brightened considerably due to the colorful decor and festively bedecked attendees. Besides the traditional backdrop photos, there was a fun photo opportunity with a “cellophane bubble wall” backdrop, holographic plastic balls, balloons and glitter which a lot of attendees (especially the Instagram set) gravitated to.

The Paddle8 silent auction included more than 50 works of art, jewelry and design gifted by galleries and artists from across New York City and the world, as well as a number of experiences and trips such as an exclusive Bottega Veneta private shopping experience for a winner and three friends (handbag included for the winner).

Marilyn Kirschner

Event Co-Chairs were Iris Apfel (in absentia but represented on Marilyn Kirschner’s Alice + Olivia skirt), Jerome A. Chazen, Michele Cohen, Barbara Tober, and event auction co-chairs Andi Potamkin Blackmore, Melissa Urfirer Gottesman and Linda Plattus who were all in attendance.

Clarissa Lefkowitz, Linda Plattus, Nina Ross

Fashion and art people of all ages mixed and mingled — I was excited to see design legend Anna Sui and later found out that she is to be the subject of an upcoming exhibition at MAD — you definitely won’t want to miss it! Last night’s invite called for “glimmer and glamour attire,” a direction that many attendees seemed to follow, which, as I mentioned added to the bright, sparkly and luminescent atmosphere. Perhaps some early holiday spirit has already arrived in the Big Apple?

Brynna and Martin Pomp

MAD Ball is actually like Christmas for the 62-year-old museum as its the largest fundraising event of the year. Proceeds raised help to fund educational and public programming for thousands of children, youth, and families including many from underserved communities and schools.

Nancy Rubins, Chris Scoates, Michele Cohen

“We are deeply grateful for the generosity of our patrons and community who help support the museum,” said Michele Cohen, chair of MAD’s Board of Trustees. “The diverse exhibitions and programming that have established the Museum as a leader in the expanding field of craft are made possible by events like the MAD Ball.”

– Laurel Marcus

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