Live Art Duel
From Blank Canvas to Masterpiece—Right Before Your Eyes
November 13, 2025 • 6–9 pm
John E. Reeves Great Hall at FIT
Join FIT for the return of Live Art Duel, our thrilling live painting competition and fundraising event, where students will create masterpieces over the course of three timed rounds.
Benefitting the FIT Foundation
Live Art Duel is back by popular demand! Watch FIT students face off in three fast-paced rounds, creating original artwork right before your eyes. Spectators will see the creative process unfold in real time.
Judges will select top pieces after each round, with finalists battling for the championship. Artwork from the event will be auctioned off afterward, with all proceeds supporting FIT students and the FIT Foundation.
Join us for an unforgettable evening of art, energy, and impact!
Meet Host Kate McGuire
Kate McGuire is a British fashion designer who transforms garments and fabrics from the past into high fashion and couture. Her pieces have been worn at major red-carpet events, and New York’s own Sarah Jessica Parker chose seven outfits from Kate’s personal closet for the latest series of And Just Like That…. Now based on Manhattan’s Upper East Side, Kate uses her platform, Converted Closet, to inspire thousands to reimagine their wardrobes — proving that extraordinary fashion can be created using nothing new.
Live Art Duel 2024 event gallery
Event Judges and Host Committee
Judges
Ariel Adkins
Isaac Boots
Racquel Chevremont
Kirstin Cole
Kareem Gayle
Rachel Glicksberg
Katie Kime
Kate McGuire
Host Committee
Jackee de Lagarde
Malitta Lacy
Shawn Lanier
Chloé Marsanne
Stephanie Pierce
Mary Jane Puangco
Troy Richards
Desiree Watson
Josef Zutelgte
FIT Foundation
Philips McCarty
Vice President for Advancement
Executive Director of the FIT Foundation
(212) 217-4109
philips_mccarty@fitnyc.edu
Claire Gilvar
Director of Corporate Engagement
(212) 217-4117
claire_gilvar@fitnyc.edu
FIT Foundation Board of Directors
Douglas Hand, Chair
Tom Chu
Lisa Clyde
Sarah Davis
Jackee de Lagarde
Frederic Dechnik
Abbey Doneger
Trish Donnelly
Sabrina Dhowre Elba
Eric Fisch
Robert Fisch
Jenny Freshwater
Madeline Gardner
Kareem G. Gayle
Morris Goldfarb
Maloni Goss
Geoffrey Greenberg
Sam Haddad
Sarah Curtis Henry
Jane Hertzmark Hudis
Gabriella Khalil
Laurence C. Leeds, Jr.
Kamie Lightburn
Fern Mallis
Alex Montefalco
Corey Moran
Missy Pool
Robert Rizzolo
Kara Gaffney Ross
J. Michael Stanley
Molly Taylor
Amber Valletta
For sponsorship opportunities and more information, please contact:
Claire Gilvar
Director of Corporate Engagement
claire_gilvar@fitnyc.edu
(212)217-4117