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A Night of Dreams: Stunning Vintage Photos of The Art Students League Ball of 1951

In 1951, the Art Students League of New York hosted a unique and dazzling event called the Dream Ball. It was a costume ball, filled with creativity, art, and an electrifying atmosphere. The event aimed to raise funds for the League while bringing together artists, students, and enthusiasts to celebrate artistic freedom. This event was part of a longstanding tradition at the League, which often blended art with community gatherings. 

The Setting 

The ball was held at the Plaza Hotel, one of New York City’s most luxurious venues. Known for its elegance, the Plaza provided a grand stage for the evening’s theatrics. The decor of the event was just as striking. Artists transformed the ballroom into a dreamlike setting, filled with surreal and imaginative details. Murals, props, and lighting played with perspectives, creating an otherworldly atmosphere that captured the spirit of the Dream Ball. 

The theme, “Dream,” encouraged attendees to explore their imaginations and translate them into their outfits. Costumes were elaborate, with many inspired by surrealist art, fantasy, and mythology. These creations displayed a mix of humor, intellect, and artistic skill. 

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The Attendees 

The Dream Ball drew a diverse crowd. Students, professional artists, and art patrons mingled freely. Among them were influential figures in the art world, including faculty members of the League who were well-known painters, sculptors, and illustrators of the time. Wealthy supporters of the arts also attended, eager to fund the League and witness the creative energy of the event. 

Costumes ranged from whimsical and lighthearted to avant-garde. Some were literal interpretations of dreams—clouds, stars, and dreamscapes—while others leaned into abstract or surreal concepts. The mix of ideas reflected the Art Students League’s ethos of freedom in artistic expression. 

Entertainment and Activities 

Entertainment at the ball included live music, theatrical performances, and contests. Bands played jazz and big-band music, energizing the crowd and filling the ballroom with lively rhythms. The League also organized a costume contest, which was one of the highlights of the evening. Winners were judged not only on the visual appeal of their outfits but also on the creativity and thought behind their designs. 

In addition to music and dancing, art installations dotted the venue. Temporary works created by League students for the event added a layer of interactivity. Attendees could walk through spaces that challenged their perceptions or brought dreamlike images to life. 

Purpose and Vision 

The Art Students League organized the Dream Ball to support its educational programs. Founded in 1875, the League had long been a hub for innovative art education. The funds raised by the ball allowed the League to continue offering affordable classes, maintain its facilities, and host exhibitions. 

While the Dream Ball had a practical goal, it also showcased the importance of collaboration and imagination. It reflected the League’s philosophy that art should engage with the community and bring people together. The ball served as an opportunity for students and established artists to connect, exchange ideas, and inspire each other. 

#1 A woman dressed as Little Bo Peep speaking into a microphone, 1951.

A woman dressed as Little Bo Peep speaking into a microphone, 1951.

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#11 A costumed person entertaining a table of women, 1951.

A costumed person entertaining a table of women, 1951.

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#13 A costumed person with balloons marching around men in suits, 1951.

A costumed person with balloons marching around men in suits, 1951.

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#17 A couple with ornate headpieces dancing at the ball, 1951.

A couple with ornate headpieces dancing at the ball, 1951.

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#19 A dancing couple wearing elaborate headpieces, 1951.

A dancing couple wearing elaborate headpieces, 1951.

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#20 A dancing couple wearing elaborate headpieces, 1951.

A dancing couple wearing elaborate headpieces, 1951.

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#21 A group in elaborate costumes sitting at a table, 1951.

A group in elaborate costumes sitting at a table, 1951.

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#23 A group of guests in elaborate costumes talking, 1951.

A group of guests in elaborate costumes talking, 1951.

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#27 A man dressed as a chicken walking across the stage, 1951.

A man dressed as a chicken walking across the stage, 1951.

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#28 A man with fake snakes attached to him dancing with a woman wearing a headpiece at the ball, 1951.

A man with fake snakes attached to him dancing with a woman wearing a headpiece at the ball, 1951.

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#29 A man with fake snakes attached to him talking to a woman, 1951.

A man with fake snakes attached to him talking to a woman, 1951.

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#30 Men dressed as bears named Handy, Candy and Dandy, 1951.

Men dressed as bears named Handy, Candy and Dandy, 1951.

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#42 Two costumed ball guests walking across the stage as a woman watches, 1951.

Two costumed ball guests walking across the stage as a woman watches, 1951.

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#44 A woman being carried into the party on a litter, 1951.

A woman being carried into the party on a litter, 1951.

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#45 A woman giving a couple the 11th place prize for best costume, 1951.

A woman giving a couple the 11th place prize for best costume, 1951.

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#46 A woman giving a man a prize for best costume, 1951.

A woman giving a man a prize for best costume, 1951.

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#47 A woman giving a man the 7th place prize for best costume, 1951.

A woman giving a man the 7th place prize for best costume, 1951.

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#48 A woman giving another woman the 6th place prize for best costume, 1951.

A woman giving another woman the 6th place prize for best costume, 1951.

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#49 A woman in a bikini talking into a microphone on stage, 1951.

A woman in a bikini talking into a microphone on stage, 1951.

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#50 A woman leading a person in an elaborate costume across the stage, 1951.

A woman leading a person in an elaborate costume across the stage, 1951.

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#52 A woman receiving the 3rd place prize for the best costume, 1951.

A woman receiving the 3rd place prize for the best costume, 1951.

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#54 A woman watching another woman walk across the stage with balloons, 1951.

A woman watching another woman walk across the stage with balloons, 1951.

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#56 A woman with an elaborate headpiece talking to a man, 1951.

A woman with an elaborate headpiece talking to a man, 1951.

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#57 A woman with an elaborate headpiece walking with others in costume, 1951.

A woman with an elaborate headpiece walking with others in costume, 1951.

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#58 A woman with an ornate headpiece holding a drink, 1951.

A woman with an ornate headpiece holding a drink, 1951.

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#59 A woman with an umbrella frame decorated with balloons, 1951.

A woman with an umbrella frame decorated with balloons, 1951.

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#68 Costumed ball guests sitting and talking on steps, 1951.

Costumed ball guests sitting and talking on steps, 1951.

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#69 Costumed ball guests, one under a model of a mushroom, 1951.

Costumed ball guests, one under a model of a mushroom, 1951.

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#80 A costumed couple dancing as other guests watch, 1951.

A costumed couple dancing as other guests watch, 1951.

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#95 A costumed woman posing in a mirror as a man watches, 1951.

A costumed woman posing in a mirror as a man watches, 1951.

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#96 A costumed woman walking across the stage as another woman watches, 1951.

A costumed woman walking across the stage as another woman watches, 1951.

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#102 A couple in costume walking across the stage, 1951.

A couple in costume walking across the stage, 1951.

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#105 A couple with elaborate headpieces dancing, 1951.

A couple with elaborate headpieces dancing, 1951.

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#106 A couple with elaborate headpieces dancing, 1951.

A couple with elaborate headpieces dancing, 1951.

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#111 A dancing couple wearing elaborate costumes, 1951.

A dancing couple wearing elaborate costumes, 1951.

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#112 A dancing woman holding an umbrella frame decorated with balloons, 1951.

A dancing woman holding an umbrella frame decorated with balloons, 1951.

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#113 An elevated view of the dance floor and stage, 1951.

An elevated view of the dance floor and stage, 1951.

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#114 A group of costumed people talking on stairs, 1951.

A group of costumed people talking on stairs, 1951.

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#118 A man and a woman in costume talking on stairs, 1951.

A man and a woman in costume talking on stairs, 1951.

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#120 A man in an elaborate costume walking across the stage as a woman watches, 1951.

A man in an elaborate costume walking across the stage as a woman watches, 1951.

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#121 A man in body paint talking to a costumed woman, 1951.

A man in body paint talking to a costumed woman, 1951.

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#122 A man interacting with a woman at a table, 1951.

A man interacting with a woman at a table, 1951.

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#123 A man putting on shoes as he sits on a table in the hallway, 1951.

A man putting on shoes as he sits on a table in the hallway, 1951.

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#124 A man speaking to the guests from the stage, 1951.

A man speaking to the guests from the stage, 1951.

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#125 A man talking to a woman wearing butterfly wings, 1951.

A man talking to a woman wearing butterfly wings, 1951.

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#127 A man touching a lizard on a woman’s chest, 1951.

A man touching a lizard on a woman's chest, 1951.

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#130 Men carrying a woman into the ball on a litter, 1951.

Men carrying a woman into the ball on a litter, 1951.

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#131 Men dressed as bears named Handy, Candy and Dandy with another man in costumes behind them, 1951.

Men dressed as bears named Handy, Candy and Dandy with another man in costumes behind them, 1951.

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#134 Men in matching body paint smoking and holding bottles of beer, 1951.

Men in matching body paint smoking and holding bottles of beer, 1951.

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#136 People dressed as judges sitting on a stage, 1951.

People dressed as judges sitting on a stage, 1951.

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#140 People in costume walking across the stage as a woman watches, 1951.

People in costume walking across the stage as a woman watches, 1951.

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#141 People in elaborate costumes and headpieces talking in a hallway, 1951.

People in elaborate costumes and headpieces talking in a hallway, 1951.

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#145 People trying on and adjusting their costumes, 1951.

People trying on and adjusting their costumes, 1951.

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#146 A person in costume walking across the stage, 1951.

A person in costume walking across the stage, 1951.

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#151 A woman getting her dress altered as a man helps and watches, 1951.

A woman getting her dress altered as a man helps and watches, 1951.

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#152 A woman getting her dress altered as a man helps and watches, 1951.

A woman getting her dress altered as a man helps and watches, 1951.

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#153 A woman giving the 4th place prize for best costume, 1951.

A woman giving the 4th place prize for best costume, 1951.

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#157 A woman putting on her costume as others make adjustments to their costumes, 1951.

A woman putting on her costume as others make adjustments to their costumes, 1951.

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#158 A woman receiving the 10th place prize for best costume, 1951.

A woman receiving the 10th place prize for best costume, 1951.

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#159 A woman receiving the 9th place prize for best costume, 1951.

A woman receiving the 9th place prize for best costume, 1951.

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#160 A woman sitting on a man’s lap as another man looks on, 1951.

A woman sitting on a man's lap as another man looks on, 1951.

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#163 A woman sleeping on a small couch as a man in costume sits by her, 1951.

A woman sleeping on a small couch as a man in costume sits by her, 1951.

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#165 A woman sleeping on small couch by the elevators, 1951.

A woman sleeping on small couch by the elevators, 1951.

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#167 A woman waiting for the elevator by a small couch where a woman is sleeping, 1951.

A woman waiting for the elevator by a small couch where a woman is sleeping, 1951.

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#168 A woman wearing an elaborate headpiece with a group of other costumed ball guests, 1951.

A woman wearing an elaborate headpiece with a group of other costumed ball guests, 1951.

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#169 A woman wearing butterfly wings looking at a man in an elaborate costume, 1951.

A woman wearing butterfly wings looking at a man in an elaborate costume, 1951.

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#177 Women posing as they prepare for the ball, 1951.

Women posing as they prepare for the ball, 1951.

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#178 Women shaking hands on stage as a man looks on, 1951.

Women shaking hands on stage as a man looks on, 1951.

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#181 Women talking as they prepare for the ball, 1951.

Women talking as they prepare for the ball, 1951.

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#182 A young man sprinkling flower petals on a litter as a woman stands on it, 1951.

A young man sprinkling flower petals on a litter as a woman stands on it, 1951.

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Written by Adriana Palmer

Blogger, Editor and Environmentalist. A writer by day and an enthusiastic reader by night. Following the Jim Roh's prophecy “Reading is essential for those who seek to rise above the ordinary.”

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