On Saturday, February 25th, 2023, Amref Health Africa hosted their annual ArtBall and adjoining art auction, creating a connection between African culture and philanthropy to celebrate and highlight the talent of the African continent, at 26 Bridge Street in Brooklyn, NY.
Notable guests included Julie Mehretu, Isolde Brielmaier, Wangechi Mutu, Shaunette Renée Wilson, and Wanuri Kahiu.
The event was hosted by Young Prince, and artist Tariku Shiferaw presented world-renowned artist Julie Mehretu with the Rees Visionary Award.
The auction, which is now on artsy until February 27th, consists of 38 pieces of Contemporary African, Pan-African and Black Art from emerging and established artists. The proceeds of the auction will benefit a youth-empowerment program run by Amref Health Africa in Ethiopia called Kefeta. Notable auction artists this year include Tariku Shiferaw, Helina Metaferia, Adjei Tawiah, Emily Manwaring, Chris Watts, and Damien Davis. The auction was curated by Natalie Kates, Cierra Britton, Fhatuwani Mukheli and Nadia Nascimento.
Guests ate West and East African food by Teranga and Bunna Cafe. Drinks were provided by Ten To One, McBride Sisters, 21Seeds, Ode To Babel, Cliffton Dry, Habesha, and Stella Artois. Almost 95% of the vendors across the event were minority-owned and operated.
Guests danced the night away with live music by Chop and Quench – The Fela! on Broadway band which included Tony Award nominated front man Sahr Ngaujah, and DJs Eden and TAO.
Photos From The Evening
About Amref Health Africa
With headquarters in Nairobi, Kenya, Amref Health Africa is the largest Africa-based healthcare nonprofit, serving millions of people every year across 35 countries in sub-Saharan Africa. Their priorities include strengthening health systems and training African health workers to respond to the continent’s most critical health challenges. Their approach is community-based and makes the people they reach partners, rather than just beneficiaries. Over 97% of their global staff are Africans, so that they are always tackling African challenges with African expertise.