Live It Up

Christie’s celebrates International Day of Persons with Disabilities



New York | 3-7 December 2021

Christie’s is thrilled to present Live It Up, a philanthropic exhibition showcasing artworks in drawing, painting, and photography, created by young adults with Down syndrome. Set within our Rockefeller galleries and in partnership with LiveUp Programs, a 100% volunteer-based organization that provides programing for adults with Down syndrome, we are shining our spotlight on unique works while also raising awareness about neurodiversity.

LiveUp Programs creates welcoming communities where adults with Down syndrome and their peers can be their best selves. Participants and volunteers strengthen social and life skills, gain confidence and lead healthy lifestyles. Together, we are an accepting and energetic family that celebrates and empowers all individuals while advocating for a more inclusive world.

This upcoming year there are three in-person overnight long weekend programs offered with LiveUp Programs. All proceeds from this exhibition will be a direct donation towards the non-profit organization with the goal of raising $40,000. Should we meet this goal together, we will be sponsoring 75 adults to enjoy a weekend living it up!



Support Now   |   Visit LiveUp Program’s Site


Charitable works and experiences

Proceeds will be a direct donation to the non-profit organization

  • Eli Lewis (Age 30)

    Painting on canvas, 20 x 16 in.
    Executed in 2021

    Suggested donation:
    $200
    Buy now

  • Danielle Birnbaum (Age 30)

    Painting on canvas, 14 x 11 in.
    Executed in 2021

    Suggested donation:
    $200
    Buy now

  • Patrick Jones (Age 30)

    Painting on canvas, 20 x 16 in.
    Executed in 2021

    Suggested donation:
    $200
    Buy now

  • Michael Clayburgh (Age 32)

    Painting on canvas, 20 x 16 in.
    Executed in 2021

    Suggested donation:
    $200
    Buy now

  • Francis Dwyer (Age 31)

    Painting on canvas, 20 x 16 in.
    Executed in 2021

    Suggested donation:
    $200
    Buy now

  • Sponsor a weekend at LiveUp Programs for one adult

    Suggested donation:
    $500

    Buy now

  • Lane Mange (Age 25)

    Painting on canvas, 14 x 11 in.
    Executed in 2021



    SOLD

    Thank you for your donation!

  • Melissa Silverman (Age 39)

    Painting on canvas, 20 x 16 in.
    Executed in 2021




    SOLD

    Thank you for your donation!

  • Alex Pearsall (Age 25)

    Painting on canvas, 20 x 20 in.
    Executed in 2021




    SOLD

    Thank you for your donation!

  • Amanda Rothstein (Age 38)

    Painting on canvas, 11 x 14 in.
    Executed in 2021



    SOLD

    Thank you for your donation!

  • Erin McNulty (Age 32)

    Painting on canvas, 20 x 16 in.
    Executed in 2021




    SOLD

    Thank you for your donation!

  • Parth Bhatt (Age 32)

    Painting on canvas, 16 x 20 in.
    Executed in 2021



    SOLD

    Thank you for your donation!

  • Rosemary Sanders (Age 30)

    Painting on canvas, 16 x 20 in.
    Executed in 2021



    SOLD

    Thank you for your donation!

  • Megan Kemp (Age 33)

    Painting on canvas, 20 x 16 in.
    Executed in 2021



    SOLD

    Thank you for your donation!

  • Meghan Latini (Age 27)

    Painting on canvas, 11 x 14 in.
    Executed in 2021



    SOLD

    Thank you for your donation!

  • Sienna Bell (Age 21)

    Painting on canvas, 14 x 11 in.
    Executed in 2021



    SOLD

    Thank you for your donation!

  • Jake Spencer (Age 36)

    Covered Bridge (With Light at Both Ends of the Darkness)
    Painting on canvas, 20 x 16 in.
    Executed in 2021




    SOLD

    Thank you for your donation!

  • Lauren Aidikoff (Age 32)

    Painting on canvas, 14 x 11 in.
    Executed in 2021





    SOLD

    Thank you for your donation!

  • Kevin Wooldridge (Age 29)

    Painting on canvas, 20 x 16 in.
    Executed in 2021




    SOLD

    Thank you for your donation!

  • Nate Seagraves (Age 25)

    Photograph, 14 x 17 in.
    Executed in 2021




    SOLD

    Thank you for your donation!

Exhibition information



Location
20 Rockefeller Plaza
New York, NY 10020

Viewing
3-5 December, 10am-5pm
6 December, 1pm-5pm
7 December, 10am-5pm

Opening reception
Friday, 3 December 2021
6-8pm, James Christie Room 

Live It Up reception

  • LiveUp Programs volunteers

    We'd love for you to join us! Reach out if you are interested.

  • Scenes from our celebration

    It was such a beautiful night at Christie's. Artists, their families, along with volunteer mentors, and those just generally interested in joining the LiveUp family in the future joined to celebrate the art exhibition.

  • Lauren Aidikoff posing with her sold piece of art

  • Meghan Latini posing with her piece

    Meghan's art has since sold

  • Erin McNulty posing with her piece

    Erin's piece has since sold

  • Samantha and Meghan reunited

    Mentor + mentee

  • Celebrating our artists!

    What an accomplishment, to sell their paintings at Christie's while also raising money and awareness for an organization that brings them so much joy.

  • Speeches

    There were happy tears


Meet the artists

  • Jake Spencer (Age 36)

    Favorite medium: Acrylic paints, colored pencils and gel pens.

    Favorite thing about art: Creating the idea for what to paint; mixing the colors; it's relaxing to paint; the paintings make people happy.
    Artist's Quote

    ‘Today's painting is the Bistline Covered Bridge on the corner of our farm in Perry County, PA. Jake loves to ride his bike on the bridge.’

  • Erin McNulty (Age 32)

    Favorite medium: Using gel pens and colored pencils
    Artist's Quote

    ‘My inspiration is drawn from the themes of dreaming and reality, as well as the shapes created by the tape.’

  • Kevin Wooldridge (Age 29)

    Favorite medium: Paint, acrylic and oil.
    Artist's Quote
    ‘Painting calms me and makes me happy. Southern California beaches inspired my painting. The beach is my happy place.’

  • Lauren Aidikoff (Age 32)

    Favorite medium: Crayons and markers

    Favorite colors: Are in the pink and orange family
    Artist's Quote

    ‘But her inspiration comes from her sisters whom she loves and adores very much. She wants to thank her cousin Patrick for all of his guidance to complete her painting.’

  • Meghan Latini (Age 27)

    Favorite medium: Colored pencils

    Favorite thing about art: Creating art is relaxing and relieves my stress.
    Artist's Quote
    ‘I decided to paint a heart because I thought of love and the sun.’

  • Sienna Bell (Age 21)

    Favorite medium: Markers!

    What is your favorite thing about creating art? It is calming and I love the different colors

    ‘My artwork is inspired by a rainbow.’

  • Eli Lewis (Age 30)

    Favorite medium: Markers

    What is your favorite thing about creating art? I like to make it up as I go.

    ‘My happiness being at Live Up inspired my painting.’

A message from the CSR team at Christie’s


‘Our organisation is committed to eliminating the stigma around mental health in the workplace. It is our responsibility now and going forward to support, empower, celebrate and raise awareness for all individuals while advocating for a more inclusive Christie’s.’

About the organization

Live it Up's flagship programs are overnight, long-weekend programs for adults with Down syndrome (21+). The program attributes its success to developing an environment of a close-knit family of friends. Each participant is paired with a similarly aged volunteer/mentor to help participants learn, while having fun in a safe, supportive environment. Each mentor comes away with a new understanding of the special needs community and as an advocate for what is possible for their peers.

Find out more

You may also like...

Future History: The Katz Legacy

Creative Growth, Creativity Explored & NIAD


Christie’s San Francisco | 2–9 December



Join us in San Francisco as we celebrate these three organizations whose studios share a common mission to serve and to support artists with developmental and intellectual disabilities by providing professional studio space, exhibition opportunities and representation.


Find out more

More about Charity auctions at Christie’s



Christie’s is proud to support philanthropic initiatives through our networks, whether by facilitating the sale of artwork to benefit important causes; offering, when we can, our salerooms as a venue for fundraising events; or providing expert charity auctioneers.

Find out more

Futures and Options + Christie’s

The Future is in Your Hands


Together, we are building the workforce of tomorrow. Christie’s is pleased to partner with Futures and Options. The career development program makes it possible for motivated teens to acquire applied skills and higher education to successfully contribute to a global 21st century economy.

A note of appreciation:



"Before entering the Futures + Options program, my mentee was new to web production. I am so proud of the work he has done with us at Christie's! He fully produced this website using the skills he has learned during his internship."

— Samantha DiBenedetto

Become a partner