The Armory Show—one of the largest and most respected contemporary art fair in the world— hosted a private cocktail reception for 200 guests at the Gramercy Park Hotel’s Rose Bar on Tuesday evening. The cause of celebration was their 2012 commission of limited edition work by artist Theaster Gates. The reception, which simultaneously honored Theaster Gates and celebrated the Armory Show’s commission, was to benefit The Museum of Modern Art.

The Gramercy Park Hotel was a fitting venue for the event; it was the location of the inaugural Armory Show fair, then known as the Gramercy International Art Fair, and remained the fair’s home for four years.  MoMA VIPs arrived early for the first peek at Theaster Gates’ limited edition work and, after an introduction from The Armory Show founder Paul Morris, were addressed by the gracious artist himself.

Other notable guests included business executive Desireé Glapion Rogers; art collector Michael Cox Winmer, real estate tycoon Aby Rosen; curator Douglas Maxwell; art patron and socialite Lisa Anastos; Juanita Jordan; Leslie Bluhm & David Helfand; artist Angel Otero and Steve Learner.

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