
Alberto Ibargüen, President & CEO, John S. and James L. Knight Foundation and recipient of a YoungArts recognition award; Christina DePaul, President & CEO, YoungArts, Mary Frank & Howard Frank, YoungArts Gala Chairs

Christina DePaul; Liv Ullmann, 2010 Arison Award recipient, James Rasmussen, Chairman, President & CEO, SunTrust Bank of South Florida
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Miami’s philanthropic power players gathered recently for the annual An Affair of the Arts Performance and Gala, in support of YoungArts, the core program of the National Foundation for Advancement in the Arts (NFAA). The event brought together the nation’s finest young artists, the patrons who support them and a cache of celebrities at the Gusman Center for the Performing Arts and the Alfred I. Dupont Building. The gala raised more than $550 thousand to support student artists. The theme of this year’s gala was Downtown Deco. SunTrust Bank was the Title Presenting Sponsor and chairing the event were prominent Miami arts philanthropists Mary and Howard Frank.
The party began with street performances by the 2010 YoungArts finalists and was followed by a dazzling show at the Gusman Center by select YoungArts Alumni, including famed dancer and choreographer Desmond Richardson. Richardson was a 1986 YoungArts winner in Modern Dance and a Presidential Scholar in the Arts. He has been hailed by the New York Times as one of the greatest dancers and choreographers of our time, and his performance proved this to be true. Following the performance was a cocktail reception, specialty wine silent auction, and a drawing featuring a dazzling variety of luxury items and experiences. During the reception, guests were surrounded by vignettes with incredible performances by the 2010 YoungArts finalists.
A special tribute to Desmond Richardson, recipient of the YoungArts Alumni Award, and distinguished actress and director Liv Ullmann, the recipient of this year’s prestigious Arison Award, was the highlight of the evening. YoungArts also honored the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation, and its President and CEO Alberto Ibargüen for its distinguished leadership and unwavering commitment to supporting the arts and its commitment to Miami.
Funds raised will support YoungArts programming on both a regional and national level.
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Christina DePaul, Desmond Richardson, 2010 YoungArts Alumni Award recipient |
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Alberto Ibargüen, Mary Frank |
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Mindy Pincus, Rich Wagman |

YoungArts paparazzi |
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YoungArts Gala décor |

YoungArts finalist participating in Gala vignettes |
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Sarah Arison, Maurice Zarmati, Linda Coll |

Christy Powell, Claudia Jackman, Drake Jackman, Karen Scott |
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Tony Jones, Patty Carroll & Dan Blaylock |

James Farmer & Meryl Comer |
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Kate Davis, Mikhail Baryshnikov, Desmond Richardson |

Rebecca Gentry, Marian Davis |
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Susan & James Dubin, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the National Foundation for Advancement in the Arts |
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Ana Codina Barlick & Robert Barlick |

Lin Arison, Liv Ullmann |
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Andrew Frey, Ali Codina, Daniel Perron, Jody Wolfe |

Alice & James Rasmussen |
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Cathryn Garcia-Menocal, Terry Riley |
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Orlando & Annerys Roche |

Allie Garcia-Serra, Marlene Garcia, Claudine Coto, Christina Parsons |
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YoungArts Gala Drawing |

Samuel & Audrey Zona |
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Joy Abbott, Jerry Mirrow |

Rebecca Stenn, Ron McCurdy, Alex Bradshaw, Justin DiCioccio |
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Mike Eidson, Pamela Garrison |

Charles Thornburgh, Natalee Thornburgh, Alexander Gorlin |
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YoungArts finalists performing in Gala vignettes |
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