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Home • Celebrity

Go Inside Russell Simmons' 17th Annual Art For Life Gala in the Hamptons

By Essence · Updated October 27, 2020

Russell Simmons and his brother, artist Danny Simmons, co-hosted the 17th Annual ART FOR LIFE gala to benefit the RUSH Philanthropic Arts Foundation. The star-studded gala, held in the Hamptons, featured a bevy of celebrity personalities who lent their names, and wallets, to a worthy cause.

Proceeds from the invite-only benefit—one of the most coveted summer invites in the Hamptons—go towards RUSH Arts’ arts education and gallery programs, which serve over 3,000 youth in New York City. This year celebrities like Gayle King, Bevy Smith, Star Jones, and Angela Simmons helped raise $1.25 million for an amazing cause. Kudos!

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Angela Simmons

Angela Simmons shows off her baby bump at Rush Philanthropic Arts Foundation’s 2016 ART FOR LIFE Benefit at Fairview Farms.

Inside Russell Simmons' 17th Annual Art For Life Gala
Nicholas Hunt/Getty Images for Rush Philanthropic Arts Foundation
02
Russell Simmons and Tyrese Gibson
Russell Simmons and Tyrese Gibson suit up for the Rush Philanthropic Arts Foundation’s 2016 ART FOR LIFE Benefit presented by Bombay Sapphire Gin at Fairview Farms.
Inside Russell Simmons' 17th Annual Art For Life Gala
Eugene Gologursky/Getty Images for Bombay Sapphire)
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Russell Simmons
Russell Simmons snaps a few pics at the 17th Annual Art For Life gala hosted by RUSH Philanthropic Arts Foundation and Bombay Sapphire Gin.
Inside Russell Simmons' 17th Annual Art For Life Gala
Eugene Gologursky/Getty Images for Bombay Sapphire
04
Star Jones
Star Jones strikes a pose brightens the room at the Rush Philanthropic Arts Foundation’s 2016 ART FOR LIFE Benefit presented by Bombay Sapphire Gin at Fairview Farms.
Inside Russell Simmons' 17th Annual Art For Life Gala
Eugene Gologursky/Getty Images for Bombay Sapphire
05
Gayle King
Gayle King is all smiles at the Rush Philanthropic Arts Foundation’s 2016 ART FOR LIFE Benefit presented by Bombay Sapphire Gin at Fairview Farms
Inside Russell Simmons' 17th Annual Art For Life Gala
Eugene Gologursky/Getty Images for Bombay Sapphire
06
Tyrese Gibson

Tyrese Gibson performs onstage during Rush Philanthropic Arts Foundation’s 2016 ART FOR LIFE Benefit at Fairview Farms.

Inside Russell Simmons' 17th Annual Art For Life Gala
Nicholas Hunt/Getty Images
07
Decor

Gorgeous decor at the Rush Philanthropic Arts Foundation’s 2016 ART FOR LIFE Benefit presented by Bombay Sapphire Gin at Fairview Farms.

Inside Russell Simmons' 17th Annual Art For Life Gala
Eugene Gologursky/Getty Images
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Bombay Sapphire

Bombay Sapphire was on display at Rush Philanthropic Arts Foundation’s 2016 ART FOR LIFE Benefit at Fairview Farms.

Inside Russell Simmons' 17th Annual Art For Life Gala
Nicholas Hunt/Getty Images
09
Bombay Saphire Gin cocktai

A Bombay Saphire Gin cocktail on display at the Rush Philanthropic Arts Foundation’s 2016 ART FOR LIFE Benefit presented by Bombay Sapphire Gin at Fairview Farms.

Inside Russell Simmons' 17th Annual Art For Life Gala
Eugene Gologursky/Getty Images
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Food
Food on display at Rush Philanthropic Arts Foundation’s 2016 ART FOR LIFE Benefit presented by Bombay Sapphire Gin at Fairview Farms.
Inside Russell Simmons' 17th Annual Art For Life Gala
Getty/Eugene Gologursky
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Decor

View of the decor at Rush Philanthropic Arts Foundation’s 2016 ART FOR LIFE Benefit at Fairview Farms.

Inside Russell Simmons' 17th Annual Art For Life Gala
Nicholas Hunt/Getty Images
12
Doug E. Fresh

Doug E. Fresh rocks the stage at the Rush Philanthropic Arts Foundation’s 2016 ART FOR LIFE Benefit at Fairview Farms.

Inside Russell Simmons' 17th Annual Art For Life Gala
Johnny Nunez/Getty Images
13
Debra Lee

Debra Lee poses happily at the Rush Philanthropic Arts Foundation Hosts Art For Life Benefit at Fairview Farms.

Inside Russell Simmons' 17th Annual Art For Life Gala
Steve Mack/FilmMagic
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Whodini

Whodini performs onstage during Rush Philanthropic Arts Foundation’s 2016 ART FOR LIFE Benefit presented by Bombay Sapphire Gin at Fairview Farms.

Inside Russell Simmons' 17th Annual Art For Life Gala
Eugene Gologursky/Getty Images
15
Daniel Simmons and Star Jones

Daniel Simmons and Star Jones smile for the camera at the Rush Philanthropic Arts Foundation’s 2016 ART FOR LIFE Benefit at Fairview Farms.

Inside Russell Simmons' 17th Annual Art For Life Gala
Johnny Nunez/Getty Images
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Debra Lee and Tyrese Gibson

Debra Lee and Tyrese Gibson take a sweet photo at the Rush Philanthropic Arts Foundation’s 2016 ART FOR LIFE Benefit at Fairview Farms.

Inside Russell Simmons' 17th Annual Art For Life Gala
Johnny Nunez/ Getty Images
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Doug E. Fresh

 Doug E. Fresh is camera ready at the Rush Philanthropic Arts Foundation’s 2016 ART FOR LIFE Benefit at Fairview Farms.

Inside Russell Simmons' 17th Annual Art For Life Gala
Nicholas Hunt/Getty Images
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Jessica White

Jessica White is sitting pretty at the Rush Philanthropic Arts Foundation’s 2016 ART FOR LIFE Benefit at Fairview Farms.

Inside Russell Simmons' 17th Annual Art For Life Gala
Johnny Nunez/ Getty Images
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Gayle King, Jonathan Cheban, and Nina Cooper
Gayle King, Jonathan Cheban, and Nina Cooper hang out at Rush Philanthropic Arts Foundation’s 2016 ART FOR LIFE Benefit presented by Bombay Sapphire Gin at Fairview Farms.
Inside Russell Simmons' 17th Annual Art For Life Gala
Eugene Gologursky/Getty Images
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Russell Simmons and guests

Russell Simmons and guests at the Rush Philanthropic Arts Foundation’s 2016 ART FOR LIFE Benefit presented by Bombay Sapphire Gin at Fairview Farms.

Inside Russell Simmons' 17th Annual Art For Life Gala
Eugene Gologursky/Getty Images