One of the many benefits of membership in 85 Broads is the opportunity to participate in exclusive cultural and educational events! The Arts and Culture Committee, spearheaded by Chapter Leader Ann Lydecker of Metropolitan Art Advisors, organized several unique art programs for the NYC Tri-State Chapter during the summer. The rundown:

1) Visit to Melissa Meyers’ Studio: A small group of art enthusiasts toured Meyers’ Tribeca studio and enjoyed an intimate conversation with the artist about modern and “feminist” art. The native New Yorker's bold, abstract canvasses are featured in museums such as the Met and the MoMA, and she is pursuing significant projects overseas.

2) Private Reception at PaceWildenstein Gallery: At a well-attended reception for 85 Broads members, director Jay Grimm offered a presentation about featured American artist Chuck Close, who has a 30-year relationship with the gallery. Despite a rare spinal artery collapse that left him wheelchair bound and with limited arm movement, Close creates huge tapestries and paintings, often of celebrities and other artists, which sell for millions. A Yale graduate and Fulbright Scholar, he has been a highly successful member of the photorealist movement, in which he works from photographic stills to create his trademark tapestries and make them look like photographs.

3) VIP Tour of ArtHamptons: A group of “next generation” art collectors traveled to ArtHamptons in Bridgehampton, NY to view an extensive collection of works for sale from 64 galleries. The group received VIP passes and met with the editor of Art Collector Magazine, the producers of ArtHamptons, the manager of the Jackson Pollock/Lee Krasner home, the VIP lounge designer, and several gallery representatives. A highlight for the group was meeting 81-year old photographer, Elliott Erwitt, who has photographed Marilyn Monroe. Everyone wanted to find out more about working with Monroe, and he merely shrugged, saying that she was totally normal and it was just another day in the life of a photographer!

4) Curated Walkthrough of “Fashion and Politics” at FIT: Viewers toured an exhibit that explored fashion as a medium for conveying politics and social messages including feminism, youth movements, the effects of war on fashion, and how fashion affects politics today. Objects on display included political garments such as a Catherine Malandrino flag dress created after 9/11, which has been worn by many stars, and was reissued in Spring 2009 to commemorate Obama's election. 85 Broads member and tour guide Katie Brierley, founder of Isoude, whose signature motif is hand-dyed silk dresses with pieces of fabric cut and applied by hand, had a dress featured in the exhibition. Despite the recession, there is a waiting list for her garments which average $10-20K each.

Many thanks to Ann Lydecker and the Arts and Culture Committee for organizing these events!