An intimate New York gathering celebrated the philanthropists, artists and cultural leaders supporting Casita Maria’s nearly century-long mission in the South Bronx.
New York’s philanthropic and cultural communities came together at Findlay Galleries for an elegant cocktail celebration marking the countdown to Casita Maria Center for Arts & Education’s annual Fiesta! gala, one of the organization’s most important fundraising events of the year.
Hosted with HRH Prince Dimitri of Yugoslavia, Stephanie Borynack Clark, Frederick Stirling Clark and Jacqueline Weld Drake, the evening brought together longtime supporters, arts patrons and philanthropic leaders in celebration of an organization that has spent more than nine decades expanding access to arts and education for young people and families in the South Bronx.
“Thank you all for being here to celebrate Casita Maria, an organization that has meant so much to me for so many years,” said Jacqueline Weld Drake, a longtime champion of the organization.
Drake also offered a preview of this year’s honorees.
“This year at Fiesta!, we have the great pleasure of honoring three truly wonderful people: Hunt Slonem and Sonia Gutt de Haime, who have been tremendous friends to me personally and to Casita Maria, and Ben Rodriguez-Cubeñas, Casita’s Vice Chair, who will receive the Jackie Award—an honor that, as you can imagine, is especially close to my heart.”
She thanked Frederick Stirling Clark and Stephanie Borynack Clark for hosting the kickoff gathering, along with Jimmy Borynack for his continued support.
For Drake, however, the significance of Fiesta! extends well beyond a glamorous evening on New York’s social calendar. The event helps sustain the educational and cultural programming that has made Casita Maria an important institution for generations of New York families.
“Fiesta! is one of my favorite evenings of the year, because it brings together wonderful friends in support of Casita Maria’s children and families, and the arts and education programs that make this organization so special,” she said, adding with characteristic enthusiasm that the gala is “light on speeches, heavy on dancing.”
A Celebration of Art, Philanthropy and Community
Among those gathering at Findlay Galleries were Steven M.L. Aronson, Edgar Batista, Cece and Lee Black, Martha Bograd, Halim Bulos, Sharon Bush, Shannon Donnelly, Michele Gerber Klein, Susan Gutfreund, Beth Hardwick, Cheri Kaufman, Margo Langenberg, Jeanne Lawrence, William Ivey Long, Janet Mait, Christopher Mason, Michael Gregson Reinert-Sessions, Jonathan Reinert-Sessions, Gabriel Rivera, Victor Roquette, Marc Rosen, Georgina Schaeffer, Jean Shafiroff, Peggy Siegal, Kathy Sloan, Christopher English Walling, Saundra Whitney and Victoria Wyman, along with Casita Maria Executive Director Felix Urrutia.
The gathering sets the stage for the main celebration on October 5 at The Plaza Hotel, where Casita Maria will honor artist Hunt Slonem and Sonia Gutt de Haime, while Ben Rodriguez-Cubeñas will receive the Jackie Weld Drake Living Legend Award.
The evening’s honorary chairs include Adrienne Arsht, Carolina Herrera, Wes Gordon, Audrey Gruss, Julio Larraz, Juan Montoya, Daisy Soros and Lynn Wyatt, among many others.
Over the years, Fiesta! has recognized an extraordinary roster of figures spanning the arts, fashion, entertainment and philanthropy, including Gloria Estefan, Margot Fonteyn, Audrey Hepburn, Baz Luhrmann, Mary McFadden, Paloma Picasso and Oscar de la Renta.
A Legacy That Began in 1934
Founded in 1934, Casita Maria Center for Arts & Education has deep roots in New York’s Latino community. Based in the South Bronx, the organization has spent generations providing children, families and the broader community with access to education, arts programming and social services.
Its longevity speaks to a larger idea at the heart of philanthropy: meaningful impact is often measured not simply by a single gift or event, but by an institution’s ability to create opportunities that endure across generations.
Through creative expression, education and community engagement, Casita Maria continues to provide young people with an environment in which they can discover their talents, build confidence and envision new possibilities for their futures.
That mission will take center stage at Fiesta! on October 5, when supporters once again fill The Plaza Hotel—not only for an evening of celebration and dancing, but to invest in the next generation of New York’s artists, creators and leaders.
Casita Maria Fiesta!
October 5 | The Plaza Hotel, New York City
Tickets and additional information are available through Casita Maria Center for Arts & Education.
