On Thursday May 6, the Housing Works sponsored its annual “Design on a Dime” charity event at the Metropolitan Pavillion. Last year the design event raised close to $500,000. Housing Works is the largest community-based AIDS service organization in the United States, as well as the nation’s largest minority-controlled AIDS service organization.
The event showcased a number of interior designers who utilized donated furniture and artworks for their interiors. There was also a silent art auction with a number of paintings and photographs donated by such artists as Susan Olmetti, the Herb Ritts Foundation, and Johnny Rozsa. Zatista.com, an innovative online art gallery also donated some works for the auction. The online gallery sells works starting at under $100.
I also noticed a tough set of dishes by Robert Loughlin, an “Oh I forgot to take out the trash” type print by Roy Lichtenstein, and a number of photographs and other works throughout the designer's showcases. Jaclyn Smith was there to promote her line for Kmart, Ty Pennington showed up for Sears, and a number of reality stars from Project Runway and The Real Housewifes of New York were also on hand.
There were also some special works that caught my eye, a minimal iron spring sculpture, a number of fashion drawings, a photo of R2-D2, and a couple paintings in the vein of Helen Frankenthaler. In addition, Susan Olmetti also had some colorful and whimsical paintings and mannequins on display.
After the event was over, the leftover furnishings and artworks went into the stores. Get to the Housing Works and score some bargains on some interesting furnishings and fine art.
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