The Young Fellows Ball, the museum’s highly anticipated benefit event each spring, took place on Leap Day, Thursday, February 29th beginning at 8:30pm in Manhattan. The event served as a fun and festive kick-off to the final weekend of Frick Madison, closing permanently on March 3rd. Frick Madison has been the museum’s notable temporary home while the Frick Collection underwent renovations.
This year’s Young Fellow’s Ball, nicknamed “Midnight on Madison,” was like none other hosted by the Frick. The theme celebrated the culmination of the Frick’s residency in Marcel Breuer’s iconic modernist building on the Upper East Side, as the museum prepares for the eagerly awaited return to its renovated historic buildings on Fifth Avenue later in 2024.
Inside the Young Fellows Ball
Guests at the Ball enjoyed a night of art and music by Angel + Dren, along with delicious refreshments and hors d’oeuvres provided by Pinch Food Design, decor by Stellar Style Events, and lighting and sound design by L&M Sound & Light.
The event also invited guests to experience an exclusive last-chance access to the galleries. They were able to experience the museum’s masterpieces reframed at Frick Madison, a once-in-a-lifetime presentation featuring collection highlights by celebrated artists such as Bellini, Degas, Fragonard, Gainsborough, Ingres, Rembrandt, Titian, Van Dyck, and Vermeer. Select works of art were highlighted in gallery talks offered throughout the evening.
For libations, there was a signature cocktail and cocktail bar on the main level and ground floor. Signature drinks on the menu included the Midnight Margarita with Desolas Mezcal and Tangerine Juice, and Over The Moon with Old Overholt Rye Whiskey and Elderflower. The signature mocktail of the evening was The Glass Slipper crafted with Golden Hour De Soi, Ginger Beer, Pomegranate, and Lime. Plus, glitter could be added to any drink for an added touch of glitz and glam! Champagne and rosé was also served.
The event also included an immersive photo booth experience inspired by the Ball’s theme and the Frick’s significant collection of clocks and timepieces. Guests posed in front of a clockface backdrop with a 3D swinging pendulum.
At midnight, guests were dazzled by a themed video projection that signaled the end of Leap Day and kicked off the final farewell to Frick Madison. Celebratory espresso martini shooters and late-night bites were served.
Brand Supporters
Additional support for the Young Fellows Ball was provided by Burberry, De Soi, Desolas Mezcal, Old Overholt, Perrier-Jouët, Quinn Rosé, The Original Southside, and Tito’s Handmade Vodka.
Notable Attendees
Notable guests at the 2024 event included Dianna Agron, Cassie Arison and Niv Alexander, Julia Arnhold, Paul Arnhold, Alice Berman, Cass “Blackbird” Bird, Jessica Casey, Tai-Heng Cheng, Leiter Colburn, Mercedes de Guardiola, Josh Flagg, Bailey Foote, Russell Freed, Ivy Getty, Wes Gordon, Lindsay and Russell Grant, Alexander Hankin, Kathryn Kalikow, Casey Kohlberg, Brian P. Lei, Marc Lewinstein, Jenna Lyons, Laurence Ross Milstein, Michael Ouimette, Arielle K. Patrick, Matthew Pietras, Antoni Porowski, Keith Powers, Indré Rockefeller, Augustus Rylands, Ana María Sabater, Maria Beatriz Sabater, Anita Saggurti, Allison M. Ecung Freifrau von Arnim, Brynn Whitfield, and Blaike Young.
Beneficiary
Proceeds from the Young Fellows Ball 2024 provide essential support for the Frick’s
many activities. Activities include the programs of the Frick Art Reference Library and
the Education Department, which serves students from New York City public
schools in all five boroughs as well as digital audiences around the country and
the world.