Wednesday, June 5th, 2024. 7 World Trade Center, 40th Floor — The NYC Culture Club, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, hosted their 1st Annual Benefit in support of Arts programming at the World Trade Center on the 40th Floor of 7 World Trade Center with breathtaking and sweeping panoramic views of New York City.
In attendance, 350 People guests mingled and enjoyed light refreshments that included G.H. Mumm Champagne, Whispering Angel Rosé, Absolut Elyx Vodka, Casa Del Sol Tequila, Gorgie Energy Drinks, REAL cookies, and a silent auction with artistic works featured by artists such as Nature Shankar, Kiwha Lee, and 35 additional contemporary artists. A private concert featuring Anna of the North was held for the guests and honorees.
Highlights and sights of the events were captured with stunning photography by Casey Kelbaugh/CKA, Alex Staniloff / CKA, and Florence “Flo” Ngala, whose photograph, “Meg(an)d the Mirror” will be featured in Mashonda Tifrere’s Art Genesis and NYC Culture Clubs, “ECHOES OF TOMORROW: WE ARE THE FUTURE ANCESTORS“ exhibition, which will be on display from June 12th – June 27th at the Oculus, World Trade Center.
The NYC Culture Club is a nonprofit organization that offers opportunities for curators and artists, free of charge and commission. Programming includes exhibitions, residencies, public art presentations, and art fairs. In a gracious effort to stir artistic influence and inspiration back into the city of New York, all exhibitions hosted through the NYC Culture Club are free and open to the general public. NYC Culture Club has welcomed over 130,000 visitors since opening at the World Trade Center in June of 2021. We have hosted 35 exhibitions featuring 450 artists, 35 curators, and 9 nonprofit partners. We have hosted campaigns on every digital display at the WTC, as well as public art displays on the campus of the World Trade Center in collaboration with Westfield and the Port Authority of NY & NJ.
Guests in attendance included Honorees Joan Hornig, Founder of Pavé the Way Jewelry; and Singer-Songwriter, Artist, Entrepreneur and philanthropic Founder of ArtLeadHer+ ArtGenesis Founder, Mashonda Tifrere who humbly expressed her gratitude for the platform to showcase her curated art and those of her fellow artists. Awards from Baccarat were presented by Jonathan Karl (ABC News Chief Washington correspondent + NYTimes Best-Selling Author).
Mashonda’s openness and focus on building artistic community with a focus on genuine support, resonated with the guests in attendance, fellow artists and tastemakers who also recognized the need to re-establish New York City as the mecca of art culture.
The post pandemic economy impacted the means in which art is curated; thrusting many creatives out of the city or with the lack of resources needed to create their art and pursue their artistic careers. 
In solidarity, curators and art world leaders and patrons: Racquel Chevremont (curator/collector/Real Housewives of New York), Vajra Kingsley (VHE Art), Allen Lazard (NY Jets Wide Receiver), Mia Fineman (Curator at The Metropolitan Museum of Art), Natasha Roberts (The Know), Timo Weiland (Fashion designer, DJ, Entrepreneur), Hannah Root (Director at Pace Gallery), Erica Boginsky (Director of Friedman Benda), Charlotte Alden (Lottie Founder), Nader Sisters – Mary Holland Nader, Grace Ann Nader (Models and influencers) Ashley Platt (Founder Luxholdups), Matt McDonald (Global Head of ConnectedTV and Streaming at Google), Alexandra Bono (Founder and CEO of Pelican), artists Minku Kim, Chellis Baird, Holly Lowen, Natasha Blodgett, Michael Sadowsky, Sarp Kerem Yavuz, Ryan Keeley, Jason Wallace, Scott Kahn, Jake Clark, Kiki Joyce showed support in attendance while participating in the silent auction.
Selected art pieces included works from artists: Alex Osborne, Dana Nehdaran, Daniel Allen Cohen, Enzo Barracco, Felipe Pantone, Gabe Aiello, Jake Clark, Jason Wallace , Jane Sinclair, Jennifer Okumura, John Black, John Monn, Kamiesha Garbadawala, Kerry Irvine, Kiki Joyce, Kiwha Lee, Kristin Simmons, Lauren Krasnoff, Matheus Verli Goulart, Matthew Marcot, Michael De Feo, Michael Sadowsky, Minku Kim, Nature Shankar, Pamela Dove, Phil America, Ricardo Arango, Roger Von Gunten Ryan Keeley, Salvatore Catalano, Sarp Kerem Yavuz, Scott Kahn, Senon Williams, Tariku Shiferaw, Tatyana Murray and Timothy Hawkinson.
