Carol Sutton Lewis, Dr. Amelia Ogunlesi, Kathryn C. Chenault, and Jacqueline L. Bradley were some of the special guests at The Studio Museum Gala 2018.  Photo: Liz Ligon

ART NEWS: At the Studio Museum 2018 gala, the museum raised almost $4 million to support the museum’s operating cost, including key initiatives such as the collaborative and community enriching in Harlem exhibitions and programs.

BY ARTCENTRON

First Lady New York City Chirlane McCray with Thelma Golden, Director and Chief Curator of The Studio Museum receiving the Mayoral Proclamation to commemorate the Museum’s historic fifty-year legacy. Photo: Liz Ligon

NEW YORK, NY-The Studio Museum in Harlem raised $3.9 million during the museum’s annual Gala held at the Park Avenue Armory. The money will support the Museum’s operating costs, including key initiatives during the 50th anniversary such as the collaborative, community enriching in Harlem exhibitions and programs.

This year’s gala marks the inauguration of the Museum’s historic 50th-anniversary celebration. The money realized surpassed those of previous years. Thanks to the generous donations of the people at the event. The Lead Founders’ Circle donors included Jacqueline Bradley and Clarence Otis, Kathryn C. and Kenneth I. Chenault, Katherine Farley and Jerry Speyer.

Donations also came from Gucci, Susan, and John B. Hess, Joan Ganz Cooney and Holly Peterson Foundation, Marie-Josée and Henry R. Kravis, Carol Sutton Lewis and William M. Lewis, Jr., Christy and John Mack. Also helping the gala reach the $3.9 million mark were The Margaret and Daniel Loeb – Third Point Foundation, Crystal McCrary and Raymond J. McGuire, Amelia and Bayo Ogunlesi, Ann Tenenbaum and Thomas H. Lee, Lise and Jeffrey Wilks, and Elaine Wynn/Elaine P. Wynn and Family Foundation.

The Studio Museum in Harlem annual Gala was attended by the who- is -who in the art world. Co-chaired by Studio Museum Trustees Jacqueline L. Bradley, Kathryn C. Chenault, Carol Sutton Lewis, and Dr. Amelia Ogunlesi, the event was an opportunity to discuss the future of the museum. Thelma Golden, Director and Chief Curator, and Raymond J. McGuire, Chairman of the Board were on hand to discuss how far the museum has come and what the future holds.

One of the special guests at the event was the First Lady of New York City Chirlane McCray. During the event, she presented The Studio Museum with a Mayoral Proclamation to commemorate the Museum’s historic fifty-year legacy.  The Studio Museum Trustees Holly Peterson and Ann G. Tenenbaum served as the event’s Founders’ Circle Co-Chairs.

Among the notable guests were Sir David Adjaye OBE, architect of the new home of The Studio Museum in Harlem; former Studio Museum Directors, Kinshasha Holman Conwill, current Deputy Director of the National Museum of African American Art and Culture and Edward S. Spriggs, Founding Director Emeritus, The Hammonds House Museum.

Many artists were also the gala. They included Derrick Adams, Lyle Ashton Harris, Sanford Biggers, Brice Marden, Julie Mehretu, Lorna Simpson, Teresita Fernández, Titus Kaphar, and Lynette Yiadom-Boakye. Other guest included philanthropists Sherry Bronfman, Agnes Gund, Debra Lee, Brooke G. Neidich, Jeanne Greenberg Rohatyn, and Nick Rohatyn. Also in attendance were Mera and Don Rubell, and Elaine P. Wynn; New York City Commissioner of Cultural Affairs Tom Finkelpearl.

One of the major events of the Gala was the presentation of the thirteenth annual Joyce Alexander Wein Artist Prize to Los Angeles-based artist Diedrick Brackens. The prize comes with $50,000 in unrestricted funds. Past winners of the award include Simone Leigh, Derrick Adams, Njideka Akunyili Crosby, Leonardo Drew, Trenton Doyle Hancock, Leslie Hewitt, Jennie C. Jones, Samuel Levi Jones, Glenn Ligon, Nadine Robinson, Gary Simmons, and Lorna Simpson.

Future of The Studio Museum

The $3.9 million raised at the gala will be handy as the museum goes through a transition period. The Studio Museum is preparing to construct a new home at its longtime three locations on Manhattan’s West 125th Street. Designed by internationally renowned architect David Adjaye of Adjaye Associates in collaboration with Cooper Robertson, the new building will help the studio museum better serve its growing and diverse audience.

Founded in 1968 by a diverse group of artists, community activists, and philanthropists, the studio museum in Harlem is internationally known for its catalytic role in promoting the work of artists of African descent. Although the museum is currently closed in preparation for construction, the Museum has opened Studio Museum 127, a temporary programming space located at 429 West 127th Street, where visitors can continue to experience works by various artists.

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