90th Annual Casita Maria Fiesta Honoring Wes Gordon, Lucy Doughty, Wally Findlay Galleries

“The world desperately needs more art, more creativity, more joy, more dance, more dreamers dreaming dreams,” said Carolina Herrera Creative Director Wes Gordon at Casita Maria Center for Arts and Education’s 2024 Fiesta benefit. “I’m so enormously grateful for Casita Maria’s amazing work, teaching the next generation to dream and create a better world.” Wes was awarded their Gold Medal of Honor alongside philanthropist Lucy Doughty and gallerists James J. Borynack and Adolfo Zaralegui (Wally Findlay Galleries International).

Lucy Doughty said, “Live a life of community and you’ll be surprised that although we consider being of service as helping others, you’ll come to the realization that being of service is actually a gift you give to yourself. I’m grateful to Casita Maria for this honor, but more importantly, I thank you for honoring and encouraging, with so much care, all the children of Casita Maria, and for acknowledging that all of us have potential, but very few have opportunities.”

James J. Borynack and Adolfo Zaralegui echoed that sentiment, sharing, “Our first thought tonight as we arrived here at this beautiful event was the children and the families that are served by Casita Maria, and we’d like to thank all of you for supporting them and furthering their education and needs.”

Casita Maria, the oldest Latin charity in New York, celebrated their 90th annual Fiesta with Chairs HRH Prince Dimitri of Yugoslavia and Jacquline Weld Drake. Jacqueline has served as Board Chair for many years and was presented with Casita Maria’s first Living Legend Award. She said, “To quote Audrey Hepburn, ‘children are our greatest asset’. That’s been my motto. I am extremely proud to be involved in Casita Maria. I’m proud of the work we do and grateful for our Executive Director Felix Urrutia, for my ever-supportive Board of Directors, and for all of you for continuing to support us.”

At The Plaza Hotel, cocktails began in the Terrace Room, before moving up to the Ballroom for dinner. Speeches were short, and guests danced the night away. Artist Gustavo Novoa donated a painting that was auctioned off to benefit Casita Maria. Many attendees – including Jean Shafiroff – wore Carolina Herrera gowns to pay respect to Wes Gordon.

Guests included Paul Arnhold, Jody Arnhold, Muffie Potter Aston, Yanna Avis, Alex Badia, Janna Bullock, Sharon Bush, Lady Liliana Cavendish, Layla Diba, Jennifer Fischer, Susan Gutfreund, Michele Gerber Klein, Patricia Herrera Lansing, Elizabeth Meigher, Vanessa Noel, Sana Sabbagh, Jeanette and Alexander Sanger, Hunt Slonem, and Barbara Tober. The 90th Anniversary Committee Chairs included Ben Rodriguez-Cubenas, George Corton, Sissi Isabel Fleitas-Refaie, Darlyn Portes, Jean Shafiroff, and Mary Snow. The 90th Anniversary Committee includes Ana Cristina Alvarado, Peter Bacanovic, Emilia and Pepe Fanjul, Jennifer Fischer, Lydia Forbes, Christopher Mason, Ann Nitze, Sergio Orozco, Thomas C. Quick, Marc Rosen, Christine and Steve Schwarzman, Raul Suarez, Adrienne and Gianluigi Vittadini, Lynne Wheat, and Saunda Whitney.