A Look At The LongHouse Reserve Winter Benefit

LongHouse Reserve held its Winter Benefit, A Love Song to Jack, on February 14, 2021. The Valentine’s Day virtual event celebrated LongHouse’s beloved founder Jack Lenor Larsen, who recently left this world at 93.

Jack Larson Photo courtesy of Shonna Valeska

The evening began with a heartfelt rendition of It Had To Be You from JoyJanJones. “Jack would have loved that” said Matko Tomicic, LongHouse Reserve Executive Director, “he was mesmerized with voice and the sounds of piano. Tonight, we have guests from all over the United States and even some tuning in from Europe, South America, and Japan. Just the way Jack would have liked it.”

Festivities included an exclusive tour of Larsen’s residence at LongHouse led by Honoree Architectural Critic, Paul Goldberger. Goldberger received the LongHouse Art Leadership Award. “LongHouse is like no other place I know. I can think of no other place in the world that is part design museum, part botanical garden, part sculpture park, part culture center. Not any one of these things, but all of them, in perfect balance” said Goldberger. LongHouse President, Dianne Benson, noted “we have been giving this award for 20 years. Each one is a little different, depending on who is being honored, but all embrace Jack’s life philosophy”. Visual Artist Shirin Neshat was honored with the LongHouse Award. “It’s very difficult to verbalize the importance of art and culture in the period that we are living in. I am extremely flattered and honored that my art has become a point of recognition in a time of crisis” said Neshat before sharing an inside look at her Brooklyn-based studio and the art she’s working on.

‘Loving Couple’ Honorary Chairs included Bill T. Jones and Bjorn Amelan, Eric Fischl and April Gornik, and Rufus Wainwright and Jörn Weisbrodt. “Our debut was at a LongHouse Winter Benefit. This wonderful place was a big part of the beginning of our love life” said Wainright and Weisbrodt. Love songs were performed throughout the evening by Laurie Anderson, Royal Khaoz, Nico Muhly, G.E. Smith and Taylor Barton-Smith, and Rufus Wainwright.

Eric Fischl and April Gornik shared, “What Jack accomplished was extraordinary. LongHouse is an absolute destination. Rare in this part of the world. It’s a treasure we have to, and will, keep going.”

The Valentine’s Day celebration came to a close with Dianne Benson echoing Eric and April with a heartfelt thank you to Jack. "We promise to love LongHouse, to keep it, and to make it better and better, just as you imagined.”

‘Love Boxes’, all including a Yoko Ono keepsake and others with cocktails, sake, champagne and sweet treats, were packaged glamorously and sent to guests as part of their ticket.

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