Art Beyond the Glass Donates Record-Breaking $40,000 to Beautify Earth

ABTG VIII Class Photo by Eugene Lee

Art Beyond the Glass has smashed its previous fundraising record, donating nearly $40,000 to L.A.-based nonprofit Beautify Earth. Hosted by Ria Soler and Josh Gelfand, the largest Art Beyond the Glass to date took place for the third consecutive year at Los Globos, the landmark nightclub located on Sunset Boulevard in the heart of Silver Lake.

Beautify Earth Co-Founder & Executive Director Sergio Cuculiza | Photo by Garrett Hanson

The eighth annual ABTG raised funds for Beautify Earth, an extraordinary nonprofit that is putting an end to blighted walls and fixtures by empowering artists, encouraging social responsibility, and instilling community pride in impoverished or neglected communities, streets, walls and fixtures. The donation to Beautify Earth broke the previous single-event record of $25,000 that was set at ABTG V in 2016.

Sabrina Minks at ABTG VIII | Photo by Garrett Hanson

As always, bartenders and their sponsoring brands outdid themselves with their themes. We never do contests at ABTG, but if there was a "most Instagrammed" setup that would have to be the incredible circus tent created by the Bacardi crew. The colorful cast of characters included a ringmaster, lion tamer, circus animals, and of course clowns. Guests could pose with The Wheel, the actual prop featured in "Bullseye," the sixth episode of American Horror Story: Freak Show.

Team Beam Suntory at ABTG VIII | Photo by Eugene Lee

Other highlights included the In-N-Out / Super Mario bars sponsored by Beam Suntory; the Deadpool quartet serving drinks at the Aviation Gin bar; a campfire with Redemption Rye; and the whimsical Alice in Wonderland bar from Pomp & Whimsy.

Guests had plenty to eat as well, thanks to generous donations from Guelaguetza, Tartine Manufactory and Triple Beam Pizza. And everyone stayed hydrated courtesy of Q Mixers and Evian.

Making their ABTG debut, Dream Machines blew the roof off Los Globos with their headlining set of electrifying synth pop. Other performances included another first-timer band, The Cauterizers and a jam session from ABTG favorites Brandon McCulloch and Lee How Fasho.

The Honeycut Room at ABTG VIII | Photo by Kristina Cox

The second level at Los Globos was in the groove all afternoon, with DJs rocking the main dance floor as well as the Red Room, which was transformed into the late, great Honeycut - complete with lighted disco dance floor and silver balls hanging from the ceiling!

Guilty Pleasures Cabaret at ABTG NYC | Photo by Daniel Schaefer

Earlier this year, the first-ever Art Beyond the Glass New York took place at Town Stages in Tribeca. Helmed by Joanna Carpenter and Chie Morita, ABTG NYC raised more than $10,000 for Sokoloff Arts, a women-led cultural institution creating inspired space and cutting edge experiences at Town Stages. 

The funds raised by ABTG VIII and ABTG NYC brought the total funds collectively donated by Art Beyond the Glass events to more than $210,000.

After the jump, check out selected highlights from the record-breaking Art Beyond the Glass. For hundreds of photos from ABTG VIII, browse the albums at the Art Beyond the Glass Facebook page. Much love and see you on June 28, 2020!

Dan Long and Jaymee Mandeville at ABTG VIII | Photo by Eugene Lee

Team Deadpool aka Team Aviation at ABTG VIII | Photo by Kristina Cox

Team Pomp & Whimsy at ABTG VIII | Photo by Eugene Lee

The Cauterizers perform "Bermuda Love Triangle" at ABTG VIII | Video by Daniel Garcia

Brandon McCulloch and Lee How Fasho at ABTG VIII | Photo by Eugene Lee

Naomi Schimek in the Art Gallery / Silent Auction Room at ABTG VIII | Photo by Eugene Lee

Art Beyond the Glass VIII was made possible with the generous support of our sponsoring brands: Azunia Tequila, Jack Daniel's, Sweet & Chilli, The 86 Co featuring Fords Gin, Aberfeldy Single Malt Scotch, Amass, Ancho Reyes / Montelobos, Aviation Gin, Back Bar Project, Beam Suntory, Bombay Sapphire, Botanist Gin, Chareau, Fernet-Branca, Grey Goose, High West / Mi Campo, Hotaling & Co, Ilegal Mezcal, Jagermeister, Licor 43, MEXA Brands, Mulholland Distilling, Montenegro, Partida Tequila, Peroni, Plymouth Gin, Pomp & Whimsy, The Real McCoy / Combier / Liquid Alchemist, Redemption Whiskey, Singani 63, Slane Irish Whiskey, Spiribam (Rhum Clement), St Germain, Teeling Irish Whiskey, Tromba Tequila, Uncle Nearest Whiskey, William Grant feat. Hendrick's Gin, Woodinville Whiskey, Q Drinks, East Imperial, Miracle Mile Bitters, Ventura Spirits and West Coast Ice Provisions.

Bar bites donated by Guelaguetza, Tartine Manufactory and Triple Beam Pizza.

Water provided by Evian.