May 1–5, 2017: Auction Preview at Sotheby’s New York
May 5, 2017: Dinner & Auction at Sotheby’s New York
Co-Hosts: Sean Penn, Bryan Lourd, and David Geffen
Cultural Partners: Creative Artists Agency (CAA) & Sotheby’s
Press Release – April 24, 2017 NEW YORK – J/P Haitian Relief Organization, a non-profit dedicated to bringing sustainable programs to the Haitian community, will host, along with its cultural partners Creative Artists Agency (CAA) and Sotheby’s, its benefit dinner and auction in New York on Friday, May 5, 2017. This will be the organization’s first benefit for Haiti Takes Root, a 10-year long initiative dedicated to the reforestation and development of Haiti, and will be the first to take place in New York. Co-hosted by Sean Penn, Bryan Lourd, and David Geffen, the benefit dinner will offer world-class fine art, once-in-a-lifetime experiential lots, and intimate musical performances.
Sean Penn, Founder and Chairman of the Board of J/P HRO and Ambassador-at-Large for Haiti, says, “In Haiti, having trees is a matter of life and death. They give food, they protect the soil, and they provide shelter from the storm. If we can’t reverse deforestation —and do it now— the deck is going to continue to be stacked against Haitians already struggling to survive. This auction is about getting at these root causes of Haiti’s challenges. It’s about giving the Haitians the tools they need and planting the seeds for a better future.”
Cocktails and exhibition viewing will be held from 6:30pm–8pm, followed by a seated dinner with live auction and special performances until 10:30pm. The live auction, curated by CAA’s Thao Nguyen, will feature works by Thomas Houseago, Deborah Kass, Ed Ruscha, Henry Taylor, and Jonas Wood, as well as unique experiences, including a VIP soccer experience with Real Madrid’s Cristiano Ronaldo, a four-time Ballon d’Or winner soccer player, a VIP Monaco Grand Prix trip, an art and culinary trip to Denmark with Noma’s René Redzepi, and a private tour and dinner at James Turrell’s Roden Crater, led by Michael Govan, CEO and Wallis Annenberg Director, Los Angeles County Museum of Art. The live auction will be conducted by Andrea Fiuczynski, Executive Vice President and Chairman, West Coast, Sotheby’s. The evening will be MC’d by Gayle King, and dinner guests will enjoy performances by Andra Day and Damien Rice.
Complete details of all auction lots will be available online on Tuesday, April 25.
For table/ticket inquiries, please contact Sophie Ragir at sophie@jphro.org.
For more information, please visit https://www.haititakesrootauction.com/
Benefit Patrons
Allan Schwartzman, Amy Cappellazzo, Azede Jean-Pierre, Beth Swofford, Diana Widmaier Picasso, Deborah McLeod, Jared Leto, Jennifer Aniston & Justin Theroux, Larry Gagosian, Lupita Nyong’o, Neil Patrick Harris & David Burtka, Sarah Jessica Parker & Matthew Broderick, Sting & Trudie Styler.
About J/P Haitian Relief Organization
Founded by Sean Penn in 2010, J/P Haitian Relief Organization (J/P HRO) is dedicated to providing long-term support for the people of Haiti and empowering the Haitian community to build sustainable programs. Following the tragic earthquake of 2010, J/P HRO immediately began working to assist the most vulnerable to safer, healthier, and stronger neighborhoods. Consisting of four linked programs —Medical, Disaster and Risk Reduction, Education, and Community Development— J/P HRO works with the support of and in collaboration with local and national government leaders, community based organizations, other international NGOs, UN agencies, donors, and —most importantly— the community members themselves. In partnership with The Government of The Republic of Haiti, The Government of The French Republic, and The Parker Foundation J/P HRO launched “Haiti Takes Root”, a 10-year long climate change initiative dedicated to the reforestation and development of Haiti.
Join the conversation on Instagram and Twitter by mentioning @jphro and using the hashtag #HaitiTakesRoot.
