This special evening celebration of the Rush Philanthropic Arts Foundation will offer an opportunity to collect contemporary works while supporting Rush. Join us in person, online, or over the phone to bid. This evening session will begin on April 4th with registration and cocktails at 5 p.m. with the auction of African American Art beginning at 6 p.m. eastern with lot 194.

Highlights from the Auction:

About Rush

Rush Philanthropic Arts Foundation (Rush Arts) is dedicated to providing underserved youth with contemporary art education, and developing and supporting artists, curators and new audiences.

The Rush Philanthropic Arts Foundation, established in 1995 by Danny Simmons, Russell Simmons, and Joseph “Rev. Run” Simmons, aims to provide inner-city youth with access to the arts and exhibition opportunities for emerging and underrepresented artists, significantly impacting the landscape for artists of color and emerging talents. Since March is Women’s Month, Rush has also supported numerous prominent women artists of color. With support from a wide network, Rush Education programs annually serve 3,500 students, offering alternatives to high-risk behaviors and enhancing academic performance. Rush exhibits over 50 emerging artists yearly, attracting 12,000 visitors, and provides career opportunities in the arts for young people. Operating galleries in Manhattan and Brooklyn, along with programs in five NYC public schools, Rush fosters artistic inspiration and education in underserved communities.

Swann Salon Series: Herstory

a talk with Renee Cox & Halima Taha

March 28, 6-8 PM ET at Swann Galleries: 104 East 25th Street, 7th Floor, NYC

Our guests will share their impactful roles and the legacy of the Rush Foundation in supporting emerging women artists.

Meet our speakers:

Renee Cox

Renee Cox, born in Colgate, Jamaica in 1960 and now based in New York, is celebrated for her photography, collages, and installations blending influences from art history, fashion, and pop culture. She offers a critical view of female sexuality, power, and beauty, often using nudity and symbolism. Cox reexamines the black female figure within power structures, drawing inspiration from Renaissance to modern art and West African traditions. Her work challenges conventional perceptions of women across time and place. Cox’s accolades include exhibitions at Tate Liverpool, The New Museum, and the Brooklyn Museum, alongside awards like the New York Foundations for the Arts fellowship. She teaches at Columbia University and has lectured at Yale and NYU. Cox lives in Manhattan and Amagansett with her husband and dog, Dogon.

Halima Taha

Halima Taha gained recognition for her influential book, “Collecting African American Art: Works on Paper and Canvas,” which validated the significance of collecting fine art, printmaking, and photography by Americans of African descent. Her expertise played a crucial role in establishing the first international African American auction category in 2008. A graduate of Sarah Lawrence College and New York University, holds degrees in Liberal Arts and Arts Management & Cultural Policy, along with a Certificate in Appraisal Studies. She is a member of ArtTable and the College Art Association. Halima’s interdisciplinary approach to art extends to her involvement as a keynote speaker and panelist for various museum and academic programs, along with serving as an adjunct professor and curator.

Learn About Future Events

Stay in touch: opt-in to Auction Updates for email reminders about auction dates, when new catalogues are posted, sale highlights and exhibition openings; sign up for our newsletter to get periodic auction news and highlights; or download our live bidding app to browse, bid and livestream sales on the go.