On November 14th, 2011 I had the honor of attending the 2011 Rolex Mentor and Protege Arts Initiative Gala. Magic was in the air last night  as the gala began in the reception area of the David H. Koch Theatre at Lincoln Center. Guests started the evening off  with cocktails and mingling. The bell rang and guests were taken upstairs to an exquisite seated three course dinner. Guests dined on lobster and tuna tartar, beef tenderloin and more. Legendary director Martin Scrosese opened the evening with a moving speech about the importance of mentoring young artists and how Rolex has played a vital role in shaping many young minds of the future. As we made our way through the three course meal, the mentors and their students gave presentations of their work and the journey it took to get to where they are today. One quote that resonated with me from the evening was  ”Without freedom, art can not exist”. It was an amazing night for a great cause.

Noteable guest included Martin Scorsese, Steve Buscemi, Frances McDormand, Paula Patton, Julie Taymor, Stephen Frears, Anna Deveare Smith, Maura Tierney, Danny Glover, Media Personality and Author Dr. Ruth, Former Mayor of New York City David Dinkins, Musicians Lou Reed, Brian Eno and Rufus Wainwright.

About The Rolex Mentor and Protégé Arts Initiative

The Rolex Mentor and Protégé Arts Initiative is an international philanthropicprogramme devised by Rolex and run by a team at the company’s headquarters inGeneva. It seeks out highly talented young artists from around the world and bringsthem together with great masters for a year of creative collaboration in a one-to-onementoring relationship. The program pairs emerging talents in dance, film, literature,music, theatre, and the visual arts with master artists from those disciplines.  The Rolex Mentor and Protégé Arts Initiative was launched in June 2002. It runsbiennially and is now completing its fifth cycle (2010-2011). Its objective is to helpperpetuate the world’s artistic heritage. In keeping with its tradition of supportingindividual excellence, Rolex is giving emerging artists time to learn, create and grow.