Montblanc Hosts 25th Annual Montblanc de la Culture Arts Patronage Award

Last night, Montblanc celebrated the 25th anniversary of the Montblanc de la Culture Arts Patronage Award last night at the legendary Sunset Boulevard Chateau Marmont in Los Angeles with an intimate and exclusive cocktail event attended by Hollywood’s biggest and brightest, including actress Ashley Greene, Actress Bryce Dallas Howard, Photographer Caroline “Chuck” Grant, Entrepreneur and Philanthropist Eli Broad, Actress/Producer Gisella Marengo, Robert “Bobby” Kennedy III, Artist Jonas Wood, Artist Thomas Houseago, Art Dealers Jackie & Irving Blum and more.

This year’s Visionary Award, which recognizes modern-day patrons for their work and contributions to the arts and culture, was presented to American novelist, television and freelance writer, and philanthropist Maria Arena Bell for her efforts in extending the arts to broader audiences. As the long-term chair and president of Los Angeles’ PS Arts, Bell has raised funds to provide arts education to over 25,000 low income Los Angeles public elementary school children. Bell also chaired The National Arts Awards for Americans For The Arts (a nonprofit advocacy group based in Washington DC) for over a decade and served as its Vice Chair lobbying on Capitol Hill for increased funding for the NEA and art in schools.

The Montblanc de la Culture Arts Patronage Award is hosted in 16 different countries around the world, and has been awarded every year since 1992. The board of jurors evaluate each winner based on their history of personal commitment and contributions to the arts. This year’s jury included contemporary artist Dustin Yellin, Spanish Academy Goya award winning actress Macarena Gómez, Columbian film director Simón Brand, world renowned composer Chiu Tsang Hei, Latin American photographer Flor Garduño and more. Since the award’s inception, over 4 million euros have been awarded to 230 projects across the world as a result of the Montblanc de la Culture Arts Patronage Award. Bell joins a prestigious list of past honourees, including Yoko Ono, Quincy Jones, Craig Robbins, HRH Charles Prince of Wales, Jane Rosenthal, Peter M. Brant and Queen Sofia of Spain.

Photo Credit: Getty Images for Montblanc. Follow Haute Time on Instagram to catch all of the new releases as they happen.