EDITOR’S NOTE: ArchNewsNow.com is delighted to serve as a media partner for “rise in the city.”

 

As we reported in late September, the non-profit Relationships Inspiring Social Enterprise (rise) hosted its first “rise in the city” benefit auction in New York City on October 25. The fundraiser and continuing online auction support the organization’s inaugural project “in loco,” an architectural design-build training program that includes the refurbishment and upgrading of the orphanage God’s Love Center in Lesotho, Africa.

 

The evening included an exhibit of 76 original artworks created and donated by noted architecture firms, architects, designers, and artists from 15 states and 11 countries. The Top 10 pieces were auctioned live, led by the most lively of auctioneers, Pat Tully of Pat Tully, Inc.

 

There are 44 remaining artworks available for auction at www.32auctions.com/ritc2017 – but only until December 15! (A sampling of what is available at right.) So far, 27 pieces have sold for a total of $15,000, and the event raised another $15,000 for the “in loco” project through sponsorships and ticket sales.

 

Event highlights included remarks from His Excellency Mr. Kelebone Maope, Permanent Representative of the Kingdom of Lesotho to the United Nations, and a cocktail reception with lots of networking and some seriously fun dancing to live music by the (fabulous!) Nigerian band Floxy Bee.

 

Close to 300 people, including many leaders from the design and architecture community, attended the gala evening, held at the magnificent Angel Orensanz Foundation (the oldest surviving synagogue building in New York City, designed by Berlin-based Alexander Saeltzer, 1849).

 

Proceeds will benefit rise, a nonprofit organization whose programs combine architecture with social enterprise to address poverty in vulnerable African communities like Lesotho in Southern Africa. rise is co-founded by BOND Events as an integral part of its corporate social responsibility program.

 

The program’s social enterprise component will also establish an Entrepreneurship and Work Skills Development Program for the orphans, as well as build the management capacity of the God’s Love Centre’s staff.

 

“We are thrilled with the success of our first rise in the city fundraiser. The feedback has been outstanding,” says rise Founder Daniela Gusman, “and we are well on our way to our goal of raising $75,000. It takes a dedicated team to pull it all together, and I’m grateful to them, to the participants, and to the artists and sponsors who made it all possible.”