MARIA ARENA BELL with 25th Annual Montblanc de la Culture Arts Patronage Award

USPA NEWS - Montblanc celebrated the 25th anniversary of the Montblanc de la Culture Arts Patronage Award on June 6, at the legendary Sunset Boulevard Chateau Marmont in Los Angeles with an intimate cocktail reception attended by...

Montblanc celebrated the 25th anniversary of the Montblanc de la Culture Arts Patronage Award on June 6, at the legendary Sunset Boulevard Chateau Marmont in Los Angeles with an intimate cocktail reception attended by Actress Ashley Greene, Actress Bryce Dallas Howard, Photographer Caroline 'Chuck' Grant, Entrepreneur and Philanthropist Eli Broad, Actress/Producer Gisella Marengo, Robert 'Bobby' Kennedy III, Artist Jonas Wood, Artist Thomas Houseago, Art Dealers Jackie & Irving Blum and more.

Cover photo: Co-Chairman Sam Bardaouil, Actress Ashley Greene, Winner Maria Arena Bell, actress Bryce Dallas Howard, Co-Chairman Till Fellrath.

The visionary award, which recognizes modern-day patrons for their work and contributions to the arts and culture, was presented to American novelist, television and freelance writer, and philanthropist Maria Arena Bell for her efforts that make the arts accessible to broader audiences. Director and Chief Curator at Large of MoMA PS1, Klaus Biesenbach, was joined by newly appointed Co-Chairmen of the Montblanc Cultural Foundation Till Fellrath and Sam Bardaouil to present the honoree with a Patron of Art Peggy Guggenheim limited edition fountain pen encased in a trophy, along with 15,000 euros to benefit the arts at MoMa PS1.

The Montblanc de la Culture Arts Patronage Award is hosted in 16 different countries around the world. American honouree Maria Arena Bell was selected by an international jury of 44 celebrated arts influencers that were brought together by the Montblanc Cultural Foundation. The notable board of jurors evaluate each winner based on their history of personal commitment and contributions to the arts. This year's jury included contemporary artist Dustin Yellin, Spanish Academy Goya award winning actress Macarena Gómez, Columbian film director Simón Brand, world renowned composer Chiu Tsang Hei, Latin American photographer Flor Garduño and more.

As the former long-term chair and later president of Los Angeles' PS Arts, Maria Arena Bell has lead the charge to raise funds to provide arts education to over 25,000 low income Los Angeles public elementary school children. Maria Arena Bell chaired The National Arts Awards for Americans For The Arts (a nonprofit advocacy group based in Washington DC) for over a decade and served as its Vice Chair lobbying on Capitol Hill for increased funding for the NEA and art in schools. She created American's for the Arts' Bell Family Foundation Young Artist award, which has been given to artists such as actress Dakota Fanning, dancer David Hallberg and musician Josh Groban.

Bell also served as the co-chair from 2009-14 at The Museum of Contemporary Art Los Angeles (MOCA). During her tenure, she co-chaired the search for two directors and co-chaired the successful campaign to raise the Museum's endowment to over $100 million. In addition, Bell created five remarkable artist galas with artists such as Marina Abramovic, Francesco Vezzolli and Doug Aitken. In the fall of 2012 Bell was nominated by Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa and was subsequently sworn in on December 11, 2012 as Commissioner to the Los Angeles Cultural Affairs Committee.

Source : Montblanc

Ruby BIRD
http://www.portfolio.uspa24.com/
Yasmina BEDDOU
http://www.yasmina-beddou.uspa24.com/