Best evening ever.
Hangar 1’s first event, the Charity Art Auction and show by the Women and Children living in Tempelhof at the SomoS Art House was everything we expected and more. This is not only based on the fact that we reached our fundraising goal, or that we also conquered our objective, which was to deliver a fun, inclusive and diverse event, with the highest quality standards possible; but also because we received an overwhelming amount of love and support that cannot be measured or compared.
The event took us some good three months of organizing, but we made it. We all had full-time jobs meanwhile, but we still made it. We roamed the city picking up packages, meeting with volunteers, arranging the best video team possible, and establishing partnerships. We scoured down our contacts, went to every possible networking event we could find, and researched till our eyes were tired. And in the end, that great effort paid off and we could see it on the faces of everyone that came to support.
Ali and Yasmeen, the super talented brother & sister duo from Iraq got massively involved with the event. While Ali took the role of the co-auctioneer and mastered it, Yasmeen proudly exhibited her art and even sold her first art piece ever. Hania from the Open Art Shelter brought her girls who delightfully toasted with ice cold Solimate served in Champagne glasses. They toasted proudly because their works were on display, and because it was an evening of celebration. They were there with all the guests, taking selfies with their pieces; having a different evening than the ones they spend in the Shelter.
The auction was great fun. Our friends were fearless to fight for the artworks they wanted, and everyone wanted to contribute to the cause. So many familiar and loved faces were bidding, quite possibly buying their first artworks ever. We can’t be more thankful.
Among Us, the organization that took care of all administrative stuff, was there, they were the real troopers making sure everything was noted, all contracts signed and did a great job.
Finally, we shot a video that you will see shortly, featuring interviews, an event recap and more. Jan, Jakob and Dave were possibly the funniest and most professional film crew that we could ask for.
Kim, Lindsay, Francesca and Tegan were real troopers, running the event like the bosses they are, and helping us a great deal.
We are very pleased with the outcome. And ecstatic about the feedback. But this is only the beginning This week we started heading towards becoming a better and more professional organization that will aim high and never back down. We are also starting to develop our next fundraising event, completely different to this one, but as alluring. It will be crazy, artsy and fun. Stay tuned.
Photos by Kim Bryant
Words by María Paula Fernández
