Fall Into Street Art with The Young Friends of the Philadelphia Museum of Art in the Vaulted Walkway

Photos, story by Lou Perri

The Young Friends of the Philadelphia Museum of Art, a vibrant group of art enthusiasts, hosted  their most popular fundraiser of the season, this year titled Fall into Street Art. The event was held  on Friday, Sept. 18, in the Museum’s Vaulted Walkway and kicks off the Young Friends’ year-long drive to support vital projects for the museum. A highlight of the evening is the fashionable dress female members wear to the fundraiser.

This year’s event was led by co-chairs Christine Bugg and Paul Shifflet, who planned  a street-fare-inspired menu, hand-crafted cocktails, and live entertainment by hip-hop artists Freestyle Dance Academy, Sanbrooka Productions and The Bronx Boys.

“We’re tapping into Philadelphia’s local art scene by highlighting artists and enjoying some of Philly’s best local fare, all while supporting the Museum,” Paul Shifflet told Explore Philly.

The presenting and yearlong sponsor for the Young Friends of the Philadelphia Museum of Art is Neiman Marcus. Additional financial support was provided by the Tuttleman Family Foundation. In-kind sponsorship for the Fall into Street Art fundraiser is provided by Barefoot & Barefoot Bubbly and Origlio Beverage, including Blue Moon Belgian White Belgian-Style Ale, Coors Light, Dogfish Head 60 Minute IPA, Great Lakes Edmund Fitzgerald Porter, Sixpoint Sweet Action and Yuengling Oktoberfest.

The mission of the Young Friends, according to co-chair Christine Bugg,  is to support Museum acquisitions and education. In June 2015, the Young Friends raised over $40,000, enabling acquisitions for the American Art, European Decorative Arts and Sculpture, and Contemporary Art departments. Fundraising was also directed toward conservation projects, including the restoration of Bruce Nauman’s neon work The True Artist Helps the World by Revealing Mystic Truths (1967). Young Friends members enjoy a diverse schedule of programs, including engaging social events, educational lectures and tours, art-inspired excursions, and enrichment activities especially designed for those ages 21 to 45. For more information, Miss Bugg said to contact Young Friends at 215-684-7858 or youngfriends@philamuseum.org.