Contemporary Art Party Honors Kenny Blank

Art Party on Saturday, Aug. 25, was a night to celebrate contemporary art in Atlanta and recognize the range of voices necessary to create a vibrant arts community. Kenny Blank, the executive director of one of our crown jewels, the Atlanta Jewish Film Festival, is one such hero.

Paid performers like Molly Rinswell mingled among the curious crowd.

The meandering Atlanta Contemporary Art Center (off Bankhead Hwy. and Marietta Street) indoor and outdoor facility had nibbles and mixologists positioned among the outlandishly costumed, circus-like professional minglers.

Local art doyenne Lucinda Bunnen announced the upcoming publication of her new book, “Gathered,” about her own private collection.

Among the supporters was Jaime Sherman Wender and David Wender, a center board member. David Wender made a fashion statement by donning an anachronistic polyester leisure suit that belonged to Jaime’s grandfather, Aaron Feldman, who was president of Congregation Shearith Israel in 1972.

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Jaime and David Wender are supporters of AJFF. David wore the suit of Aaron Feldman, his wife’s grandfather, to the event.

Wender said,” This museum allows contemporary art to make a significant impact on the Southeast and the broader community.” The center is free and open to the public. It features paintings, prints, photographs and sculpture by Georgia artists.

Georgia State University sociology professor Elizabeth Beck poses in front of a museum art installation.

Honoree Kenny Blank said the center “is one of the great institutions in our dynamic art tapestry. It’s an incredible honor to receive the Nexus award, an opportunity to put our arts in the spotlight in a way that they so richly deserve.”