Newmark chief honored by real estate arts group

Real Estate Weekly, Sept 29, 2004

chashama, a non-profit arts group headed by artistic director Anita Durst, will host a benefit to support its A.R.E.A. program (Accessing Real Estate for the Arts) on Nov. 15.

The fundraiser will take place at 6:30 p.m. at Osteria Stella at 135 West 50th St., between Avenue of the Americas and 7th Avenue.

The event will honor Jeffrey Gural, president of Newmark, and Cora Cahan, president of The New 42nd Street, for their contributions to the New York City artistic community.

A.R.E.A. is an initiative to create temporary art performance space using underutilized New York City real estate donated to chashama on a temporary basis.

It provides subsidized space to thousands of new and emerging artists.

In 1995, Gural donated the second floor of 40 Worth St. to chashama, enabling the fledgling non-profit to perform experimental productions.

Recently, he has again provided space: this time more than 40,000 s/f.

"Jeff Gural helped catapult chashama into the art world nine years ago," says Durst. "Thanks to his generosity and vision, the idea for A.R.E.A. was born."

Cahan has also been a major force in revitalizing New York theater, says Durst. As president of a non-profit organization, The New 42nd Street, she has helped to restore and recreate seven theaters on the block between Broadway and Eighth Avenue.

"Cora recognizes how vital artistic expression is to New Yorkers, and, through The New 42nd Street, she has provided numerous opportunities for performing artists to pursue the creative process," says Durst. "She's a heroine to artists and audiences alike."

Individual tickets for the fundraiser are $150 and $250 (the latter price includes 5 raffle tickets). Tables are $15,000 (Event Sponsor, table of 8), $10,000 (Visionaries, table of 8) and $5,000 (Developers, table of 6).

The evening will feature performances by some of New York City's most innovative artists, including Julie Atlas Muz, a 2004 Whitney Biennial Exhibitioner; The Red Bastard; Happy Hour Clowns; choreographer Edisa Weeks; and movement sculpture installation artist, Claire Barratt. There will also be a fire performance by "Flambeaux."

A silent auction will contain works donated by chashama artists in residence. Raffle prizes include vacation packages, tickets to many New York City cultural institutions, and gift certificates to New York City restaurants.

Funds raised at the event will directly support chashama's A.R.E.A. program.

To date, A.R.E.A. has received contributions of more than 90,000 s/f in 12 properties from the New York City community. Contributors, include: Bruce Ratner, Forest City Rather; Peter Duncan, George Comfort and Sons; David Brause, Brause Realty; and Douglas Durst, The Durst Organization.