As Groundswell launches the online preview of our Annual Art Auction Benefit, an extraordinary array of artists are helping us celebrate at our hip venue NeueHouse, located near Madison Square Park. 
 
Visual provocateur Shepard Fairey. Celebrated street artist Lee Quinones. Swoon, fresh off her solo exhibition at the Brooklyn Museum. 
 
We are particularly excited to announce this year's artist honoree, legendary artist and art activist Faith Ringgold. 
 
Ringgold began her career in the early 60's as a painter, an art activist, feminist, and an educator. Her protests, events, happenings, and exhibitions of the 60's and 70's broke ground and opened (museum) doors for artists of color and women. 
 
Today, she is best known for her painted story quilts and her illustrated children's books. Ringgold's first book, Tar Beach, was a Caldecott Honor Book and winner of the Coretta Scott King Award for Illustration. Ringgold's work is held in the permanent collection of leading museums, including the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum, Metropolitan Museum of Art, and the Smithsonian. 
 
Ringgold's participation is all the more meaningful, following her recent visit to several Groundswell summer mural sites. Onsite, she spoke with youth muralists about the power of public art as a tool to inspire social change. Ringgold's public artworks can be seen throughout New York City, including the celebrated "Flying Home: Harlem Heroes and Heroines" installed in the MTA 125th Street station.
 
Learn more about Ringgold and the many talented artists featured this year, and view a sneak preview of Groundswell's auction (hosted by Paddle8), here. Online bidding begins September 30 at 12pm EST. 

 
With just five weeks until the big night, we also encourage you to purchase your tickets now.