May 4

May 4 Another Year, Another Successful AMREF ArtBall

Zanele Muholi, Kimberly Drew. Photo by Johana Rising.

I’ve been covering and attending the Amref ArtBall for three years now, and it’s by far my most favorite art gala of them all. It’s POC-focused, it’s in Brooklyn, and has epic swag. For the fourth edition, held on April 27th, and once again at the cavernous A/D/O space in Greenpoint, 650 guests mingled to celebrate queer South African photographer and advocate Zanele Muholi. Muholi was presented with the Rees award, bestowed annually to African artists leading global and social change. Muholi also engaged in conversation with writer and activist Kimberly Drew. Contemporary art superstar Shantell Martin served as the night’s Honorary Host, and a special Artsy-powered auction organized by curators Alexandra Giniger and Atim Annette Oton, including artists such as Dawn Okoro and Sanlé Sory, heightened the event. A total of $250,000 was raised for Amref Health Africa’s healthcare mission to provide aid for over thirty-five countries on the continent. A phenomenal event for a phenomenal cause.