National Foundation for Advancement in the Arts celebrates ‘AN AFFAIR OF THE ARTS’ gala at SoHo Studios in Wynwood

An Affair of the Arts Performance and Gala proved once again that the winning recipe for a night to remember includes one part location, one part guest list and one part programming, as the National Foundation for Advancement in the Arts (NFAA) wrapped up its annual youngARTS Week Saturday, Jan. 12 with an elegant black tie affair for nearly 800 guests at SoHo Studios at the Wynwood Convention Center.

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Margarita and Armando Codina chaired the event, while SunTrust Bank served as Title Presenting Sponsor and Lin Arison, AT&T, Goldman Sachs, and Merrill Lynch as Benefactors. Other attendees included NFAA Chairman-Elect James Dubin and wife, Susan; Adrienne Arsht; Don Carlin; Ella Fontanals Cisneros; R. Kirk Landon; Audre Mendel; Paul and Trudy Cejas; Woody and Judy Weiser; Sandyand Stephen Muss; Billy Cypress, Chairman of the Miccosukee Tribe of Florida; Elizabeth Plater-Zyberk, Dean of the School of Architecture, University of Miami; and Frank Everett, Director of Tiffany’s Bal Harbour. Also in attendance: Alberto Ibargüen president and CEO of the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation with wife Susana, Miami commissioner's Joe Sanchez, and Marc Sarnoff, Sanford and Dolores Ziff, Ricky Arriola, chairman of the Carnival Center board of directors and FIU President Mitch Maidique.

The evening began with a cocktail reception and silent auction, featuring spectacular items from luxury brand names such as Tiffany & Co., Saks Fifth Avenue and Escada. It was followed by dinner, dancing and performances by rising star youngARTS alumni, including Nashville Star winner Chris Young, 2003 youngARTS Winner in Popular Voice and Presidential Scholar in the Arts; American Ballet Theatre soloist Sarah Lane, 2002 youngARTS finalist in ballet; Pianist Rachel Kudo, 2005 youngARTS Winner in Classical Piano; and Tenor Rafael Moras, 2006 youngARTS Silver Winner in Classical Voice and Presidential Scholar in the Arts kept the spirit of the evening strong.

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World renowned architect and design visionary Frank Gehry was presented with the Arison Award for his contribution to the education of young artists. Critically-acclaimed dancer and American Ballet Theater Executive Director Rachel Moore, 1982 youngARTS winner in Dance and a Presidential Scholar in the Arts, received the third annual NFAA Alumni Award.

Following the Gala, the inaugural youngPATRONS Late Night Party, under the leadership of Sarah Arison and youngPATRONS committee member Ali Codina, opened its doors for more celebrating with DJ Irie and more performances, including jazz singer Grace Weber and pianist Julian Pollack, 2006 youngARTS finalists who recently cut their first CD.