(New York, April 11, 2017)—The American Federation of Arts (AFA) is delighted to announce that its annual Spring Luncheon will take place on May 17, 2017 at the JW Marriott Essex House in New York City. This year’s guest speaker will be world-renowned artist Jeff Koons, who will be in conversation with Scott Rothkopf, Deputy Director for Programs and Nancy and Steve Crown Family Chief Curator at the Whitney Museum of American Art.

“We are extremely happy to have Jeff Koons at our Spring Luncheon. He is undoubtedly one of the most important, influential and rebellious artists in the postwar generation,” stated Pauline Willis, Director of the American Federation of Arts.

Jeff Koons is an American artist celebrated for his work with banal objects and subjects from popular culture. He is widely known for his sculptures Rabbit and Balloon Dog, as well as monumental floral works such as Puppy and Split Rocker. Since his first solo exhibition in 1980, Koons’s work has been shown in important museums and galleries throughout the world. In 2014, his work was the subject of Jeff Koons: A Retrospective, a major exhibition organized by the Whitney Museum of American Art and curated by Scott Rothkopf, which traveled to the Centre Pompidou in Paris and the Guggenheim Bilbao. Koons lives and works in New York City.

This year marks the sixth anniversary of the Spring Luncheon. Past speakers include: Anne Pasternak, director of the Brooklyn Museum (2016); Will Cotton, artist (2015); Reed Krakoff, fashion designer (2014); Charles Renfro, partner of Diller Scofidio + Renfro (2013); Adam Gopnik, writer and essayist (2012); and Angela Westwater, co-founder of Sperone Westwater Gallery (2011).

The Luncheon will be chaired by AFA President, Clare E. McKeon, along with co-chairs Elizabeth Belfer, Stephanie Borynack Clark, Charlotte Eyerman, Ashleigh Fernandez, Lee White Galvis, Merril Mahan, Jennifer New, Capera Ryan, and Jennifer Wright. This event is one of two main fundraisers that help the AFA bring inspiring and thought-provoking art to communities across the nation. Proceeds from the Spring Luncheon directly support curatorial research and exhibition development for future AFA projects.

TICKETS
$350 Individual Ticket ▪ $600 Supporter Ticket ▪ $3,500 Sponsor Table ▪ $6,000 Patron Table. Click here for tickets or contact us at 212.988.7700 x 209 or events@amfedarts.org.

SUPPORT
The 2017 AFA Spring Luncheon is sponsored by

Additional support provided by

Special thanks to
Matthew Robbins Design, Stella Giovanni, and David Zwirner Gallery
ABOUT THE AMERICAN FEDERATION OF ARTS
The American Federation of Arts is the leader in traveling exhibitions internationally. A nonprofit organization founded in 1909, the AFA is dedicated to enriching the public’s experience and understanding of the visual arts.

Press Contact: Natalie Espinosa, nespinosa@amfedarts.org
or 212.988.7700 x 205.