Last Thursday evening, Baxter St at the Camera Club of New York held their annual Gala, Stand With Us, honoring this year’s visionaries at the Angel Orensanz Foundation in Lower East Side, New York.
Baxter Street at the Camera Club of New York is an artist-run nonprofit organization and exhibition space supporting and activating the local community of contemporary artists, serving a critical need to the development of emerging artists. Since 1884, the organization has provided a platform for hosting not only workspaces but also a venue for dynamic programming, bringing and merging together different artistic mediums, and serving as a catalyst for innovative creation within the mediums of photography and video practices.
This year’s Stand With Us Gala featured three visionaries, honorees this year included Zoë Buckman receiving the Social Change Award, Antwaun Sargent receiving the Visionary Award, and Ivan Forde receiving the Emerging Artist Award. Guests celebrated this year’s theme, This and That, by mixing and matching eclectic prints and patterns during an evening of specialty cocktails, hors d’oeuvres, and live music by DJ Honey Davenport from Season 11 of RuPaul’s Drag Race.
To set the stage in presenting the awards, notable speakers exclaimed, “with a goal to creating a more inclusive, diverse, and socially responsible visual culture, tonight is like no other fundraiser for a reason. Of course, it is an incredible opportunity for Baxter Street to raise incredible funds and to celebrate difference, and also to honor our amazing honorees, Antwaun, Zoë, and Ivan. But what is equally important for us is that this event provides a dynamic way to connect with all of our partners and cultural community. Tonight is a fully realized representation of who we are and stand for: the artists, the writers, the curators, the art administrators, and our friends.”
In receiving the awards, Zoe took a moment to thank her mother, noting that “she was a writer, socialist, and feminist who believed that everyone was important and everyone deserves to have a voice. She fundamentally did not believe in hierarchy which meant going anywhere with her took a very long time, because she spoke to everyone and welcomed everyone, so I really want to thank her.” Additionally, Ivan noted that he felt very supported throughout the entire process, especially with putting his installation together. Following the speeches, Menahan Street Band featuring Black Thought from The Roots gave a live performance on the center stage, closing the gala.
Special thanks to the soon-to-be-opened Rockaway Hotel, sponsor of 2020 Stand With Us: Baxter St at CCNY Benefit, in support of Baxter St. at the Camera Club of New York for the invite.
