buzz
HETRICK-MARTIN INSTITUTE’S
SCHOOLS OUT By ASHLEIGH MURPHY
A
cloudless summer day, guests flocked from their New York City enclaves to the East Hampton estate of Lisa and James Cohen in celebration of the 20th anniversary of School’s Out. The annual fundraiser is one of summer’s hottest-ticket events, hosted by LGBTQ youth advocacy group Hetrick-Martin Institute, or H.M.I. One of the oldest and most successful LGBTQ organizations, H.M.I. has been known to throw an excellent party for an even greater cause. Guests were escorted down a winding drive and greeted by a gingham-clad Lisa Cohen, founder and editorial director of esteemed interior design publication Galerie Magazine, who is now on her fourth year of hosting School’s Out. Accompanied by her husband James, owner of Hudson News, attendees were presented upon arrival with a sweet photo-op in front of a cerulean Mini Cooper, one of the primary sponsors of the event. Upon entry to the tented garden party, summer cocktails and canapes were passed around while guests marveled at the tablescapes created by none other than Martha Stewart, who has been an H.M.I. supporter and School’s Out attendee for the past few years. The stunning table décor was created in a palette of green and grey; votives, succulent filled faux bois planters and ferns lined the table while sculptural steel chandeliers forged in Vermont created a noteworthy juxtaposition. Soon, the art-auction kicked-off; Mrs. Cohen is an avid collector. Mrs. Cohen, alongside co-chairs Benjamin Dixon and Dan Ennis, made warm welcoming speeches while guests fraternized and marveled at the buzzy scene. Fitness guru Tracy Anderson co-mingled with fashion designer Joseph Altuzarra, who had previously told The Daily Front Row that “the work that
Hetrick-Martin Institute is doing is so important.” All attendees were gracious in providing interviews and quotes to the various media covering the star-studded affair. All who support H.M.I. are eager to spread the importance of the institute’s work. In addition to offering a safe space for carefree self-expression, the organization provides educational tools, health-care support and economic empowerment to a society of bright young adults. As the day turned to dusk, guests were seated along three long tables, cloaked in white linen, lined with Ms. Stewart’s stand-out centerpieces. The dinner was hosted by a plentitude of interior industry leaders: Robert Stilin, Steven Gambrel, Jacqueline Terrebonne, Brian Sawyer, and Hamptons Magazine’s editor in chief Anetta Nowosielska, to name a few. Dinner was generously sponsored by Sag Harbor’s Lulu Kitchen, while drinks provided by Wölffer Estate Vineyard, Kettle One Vodka and Don Julio Tequila went down a treat. Between the dinner, drinks and centerpieces, not one guest was empty-handed. Upon their departure, School’s Out giftbags were distributed amongst guests, which included luxury clothing essentials from Håndværk, in addition to mementos from Mini Cooper, Galerie Magazine and Cambria stone, amongst others. Not only was School’s Out a memorable event, but the charitable donations this year exceeded all 20 years prior. Hetrick-Martin Institute’s School’s Out 2018 raised just over $360,000.