D AV I D PAT R I C K C O L U M B I A fête its new home, designed by architect Renzo Piano, in the Meatpacking District. The evening heralded the museum’s public opening on May 1. Upon arrival to this historic event, which was sponsored by Sotheby’s and designed by Bronson van Wyck, guests were treated to wines and spirits by Dom Pérignon and Moët Hennessy as well as a special preview of the museum’s first exhibition in its new home: “America Is Hard to See.” With over 600 works by some 400 artists spanning from 1900s to present day, the exhibition presents an unprec-
edented selection of works from the museum’s renowned permanent collection. Bob Hurst, Brooke Garber Neidich, and Neil Bluhm gave welcoming remarks as guests were seated to dinner in the museum’s lobby, which Van Wyck had adorned with Piano’s blueprints. After the first course was served, dinner guests enjoyed remarks by Michael Bloomberg, Adam Weinberg, and chief curator Donna De Salvo. Following the main course, Neidich returned to the podium to introduce a special surprise musical performance by Ru-
fus Wainwright. After the live concert, Weinberg led dinner guests in a Dom Pérignon toast to Piano before inviting everyone to dessert in the museum’s restaurant and galleries. Guests left with specialized gift bags containing the exhibition handbook. Plus, transportation to and from the evening was provided by Audi. Adam D. Weinberg, the Alice Pratt Brown Director, was joined by guests Michael R. Bloomberg and Diana Taylor, Renzo and Milly Piano, Lisa and Max Anderson, Francesca Amfitheatrof, Richard
Armstrong, Flora Miller Biddle, J. Darius and Jill Bikoff, Neil ans Barbara BluhmKaul, Thomas and Stevie Campbell, Joanne Leonhardt Cassullo, Paula Cooper, Donna De Salvo, Dan and Pamella DeVos, Fairfax Dorn, Stefan Edlis, Robert Speyer and Anne-Cecilie Engel Speyer, Lise and Michael Evans, Tom Finkelpearl, William T. Georgis, Barbara Gladstone, Arnold and Milly Glimcher, Marc Glimcher, Thelma Golden, Christine and Andrew Hall, Patricia E. Harris, Jane Holzer, Bob Hurst, Warren and Allison
G O L D G A L A B E N E F I T E D ST . J U D E AT T H E B O W E R Y H OT E L
Julia Gordon and Quintin Grandstaff
Committee for the Gold Gala 40 QUEST
Ryan Ashayeri and Erin O’Toole
Vietor Evans, Wiggs Civitillo and Charlie Tricomi
STEVE SMITH
Blair Eadie and Andrew Powell