Erin Fetherston and May Andersen. Photo: Billy Farrell Agency

It’s been a huge week for the Whitney Museum of American Art. A slew of events led up to yesterday’s historical groundbreaking ceremony for the new Renzo Piano-designed location on Gansevoort right next to the Highline. Mayor Bloomberg stated at the celebration, “The Whitney started with the crazy idea that American art was significant.” Significant indeed!

And if that weren’t a big enough day for the Museum’s events people, last night marked the annual Whitney Art Party and Auction at which New York’s most beloved artists, fashion designers, musicians and, yes, athletes, gathered to raise important monies to benefit the museum’s Independent Art Program and other initiatives that are vital to the institution and ultimately to the rest of the world. Hosted by Eddie Borgo, Shala Monroque and Knicks superstar Amar’e Stoudemire, and supported by a host committee featuring Kate Lanphear and Dree Hemingway, the party was a hit. And that, my friends, is a huge understatement.

The biggest draw was a massive wall mounted with the work of some of the art world’s most celebrated artists including Matt Keegan, Olaf Breuning, Michael Phelan and Tauba Auerbach (Phelan and Auerbach’s work sold before the auction even began). ELLE asked Joe Sheftel, a prominent art advisor who sat on the auction committee what his favorite piece was. ”The Auerbach is definitely the hottest in terms of the market but I find Dominic Nurre’s photos of sculptures incredibly romantic and subtle.”

Kudos to the winning bidder! And an even bigger kudos goes to the Whitney on an incredibly successful day. And here’s to 2015, when the new building will be open to the public.