The Drawing Center’s 2017 Gala, Celebrating the Museum’s 40th Anniversary

Last night (Tuesday, April 25), The Drawing Center in New York City celebrated its 40th anniversary at its annual Spring Gala. In celebration of this landmark, the museum honored four artists who each represent one decade of the institution’s forty years of programming: Marcel Dzama, Teresita Fernández, R.H. Quaytman  — who each had their first exhibitions in New York at the Drawing Center — and Rashid Johnson.

Over 300 members of NYC’s arts and culture community attend the event, including the artist honorees, Tom Finkelpearl (Commissioner of the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs), Agnus Gund, Dorothy Lichtenstein, Frances Adler, David Zwirner, Marian Goodman, Brett Gorvy, and artists Pat Steir, Lorna Simpson, Will Cotton, Eddie Martinez, Natalie Frank, Judith Bernstein, and many others.

Taking place at Capitale in SoHo, the evening began with a cocktail hour, followed by a seated dinner with remarks from Tom Finkelpearl; Brett Littman, Executive Director of the Drawing Center; and presentations from each of the artist honorees. Throughout the night, guests had their portraits drawn by members of Drawn Together NYC, and heard musical performances from musical director Billy Martin and musicians Doug Wieselman, Falu, Peter Apflebaum, Jay Rodriguez, and Dana Lyn.

Host Committee: Drawing Center Board Members Galia Meiri Stawski (Gala Chair), Rhiannon Kubicka, Iris Z. Marden, Nancy Poses, Jane Dresner Sadaka, and Joyce Siegel.

Artists, Collectors, and Patrons

Frances Beatty Adler (Board Member), Lloyd Blankfein, Suzanne and Robert Cochran, Anita Contini (Board Member), Will Cotton, Tom Finkelpearl, Natalie Frank, Vincent and Shelly Fremont, Cheri Friedman, Richard Friedman, Amy Gold (Board Member), Agnes Gund, Martin and Lynn Halbfinger, Steven Holl (Board Member), Reuben Jeffery, Stacey and Curtis Lane, Ronald Lauder, Dorothy Lichtenstein, Eddie Martinez, Michele Oka Doner, Rob Pizzuti, Eric and Fiona Rudin, David Sherr, Lorna Simpson, Jennifer Soros, Pat Steir, Louisa Stude Sarofim, Lenard Tessler, Leon Wagner, Carol and Michael Weisman