The New York Academy of Art held its 25th annual 'Take Home a Nude' fundraiser at Sotheby’s New York on October 24, featuring a live auction and party. Attendees included actresses Brooke Shields and Naomi Watts, who bid on artworks, along with dealers, artists, and collectors. Sotheby’s auctioneer Courtney Christensen led the sale, and 'Baby' Jane Holzer was honored for her collecting and Warhol-era legacy. Watts purchased four works, including a portrait by Liz Markus for $14,000, while Shields helped raise bids online.
This event matters because it highlights the enduring appeal of the New York Academy of Art, founded by Andy Warhol, and its focus on figure drawing. The fundraiser supports arts education and draws high-profile figures from fashion, film, and the art world, demonstrating the intersection of celebrity philanthropy and institutional fundraising. The sale of over 180 works underscores the continued vitality of benefit auctions in sustaining art schools.