The Parrish Art Museum welcomed more than 700 guests, including artists, collectors, curators, philanthropists, and cultural and civic leaders from the Hamptons, New York City, and beyond, for its annual benefit, Midsummer Gala: A Night in the Clouds. The event raised over $1,700,000 in support of the Museum’s exhibitions, education initiatives, and inclusive programming, with donations still coming in.
Among the distinguished guests were artists Sanford Biggers, Sheree Hovsepian, Gwen O'Neil, Enoc Perez, Ugo Rondinone, Will Ryman, Joan Semmel, and Nina Yankowitz. Notables in attendance included Astrid Hill, John and Justine Leguizamo, Lisa and Richard Perry, Chris and Christina Cuomo, Gabby Karan and Gianpaolo de Felice, Assemblyman Tommy John Schiavoni, NY State Representative Rebecca Seawright, Karen and Dennis Mehiel, HH Sheikha Alia Al-Maktoum, and Jonathan Simkhai.
A dynamic paddle raise, led by Rachael White Young of Christie’s, helped to significantly support initiatives including ACCESS PARRISH and the Parrish’s year-round student programming. Celebrating its 10th Anniversary, ACCESS PARRISH provides tailored arts experiences to individuals living with a range of neurodivergent and other physical and mental disabilities. Student programming highlights include the Student Art Exhibition, now entering its 74th year, which presents the work of more than 1,000 young artists from local schools; as well as the Parrish’s ARTscope Teen Council, a paid internship program focused on developing career pathways in the arts. As the Museum’s most significant annual fundraiser, the Midsummer Gala underscores the Parrish’s mission to foster accessibility, creativity, and community through the arts.
At the Gala, Executive Director Dr. Mónica Ramírez-Montagut recognized this year’s gala honorees: philanthropist Ellen Katz and artists Enoc Perez, Joan Semmel, Hiroshi Sugimoto and, in memoriam, Pat Steir.
“We’ve just recently begun to honor the people that help make the museum successful—our philanthropists. Ellen is a perfect example of that,” said Fred Seegal, Chairman of the Parrish Board. “Not only has she underwritten exhibitions, but she has purchased artwork, she has lent us artwork, she’s entertained at her house, and tonight, she’s invited her friends and admirers, helping to make this one of the most successful galas ever.”
“Nothing brings me more joy than to be able to honor the artists that make our communities thrive by the sheer access to their work,” said Dr. Ramírez-Montagut. Each of the artist honorees has provided vital contributions to the Parrish community: Time Exposed: Hiroshi Sugimoto’s Seascapes was on view from September 13, 2025–February 8, 2026; Joan Semmel: My Own Muse will be presented from April 3–September 6, 2027; and Enoc Perez will be exhibited from October 1, 2028–February 11, 2029.
Dr. Ramírez-Montagut recognized the recent passing of honoree Pat Steir, stating, “We are delighted to honor her in memoriam not only through this evening, where we celebrate her life and her work, but also the upcoming exhibition next summer, when we will be surrounded be her monumental, expansive work, and hoping to be able to honor her legacy in the best way possible here at the Parrish.” Steir’s work will be highlighted in Pat Steir: Color Wheel and Waterfalls, which will be on view at the Parrish from May 8–September 26, 2027.
The 2026 Midsummer Gala was led by Dinner Co-Chairs Charlotte Pilaro and Yanina Fuertes, and Afterglow Chair Alexandra Dennett, with the support of Host Committee members Frederic M. Seegal and Jonathan Simkhai, as well as Corporate Chair Capital One.
Artist Sheree Hovsepian will also be the subject of an upcoming solo exhibition at the Parrish. SHEREE HOVSEPIAN: CAPTURING THE ‘THAT-HAS-BEEN’ will be on view from September 18, 2027–April 9, 2028.
The Parrish Art Museum’s Board of Trustees includes Chair Frederic M. Seegal; President Steven J. Horowitz; Co-Vice Presidents Henry Richardson and Sandy Perlbinder; Treasurer George Wells; and Secretary Martha McLanahan. Trustees include Andrea Myers Achi, Nina Sarin Arias, Ruchira Bhuyan, Sherri Cohen, Suzi Cordish, Marty Cordes, Yanina Fuertes, David Granville-Smith, Notoya Green, Astrid Hill Lloyd, Vinnie Kumar, Andrea Pemberton, Charlotte Lucas Pilaro, Karen Mehiel, Louis K. Meisel, Aima Raza, Alexandra Stanton, Kimberly Taylor, and Elizabeth Zeckendorf.
The Midsummer Gala at the Parrish is held throughout the Museum’s galleries, terraces, and iconic meadows. Guests walked through exhibitions on view, including Tony Bechara: An Artist of Many Worlds, FRESH PAINT: Emmi Whitehorse, Dennis Oppenheim: Wishing the Mountains Madness 1977 / 2026, Sanford Biggers: Drift, Will Ryman: Shanghai 6, and Ellsworth Kelly: Eight Decades. Attendees also enjoyed cocktails outdoors, set to live music by The Dixons, and a sunset dinner and paddle raise on the Mildred C. Brinn Terrace. Guests sipped drinks from the Casa Dragones bar and took home keepsakes from the Capital One photobooth.
Lush décor by Arthur Golabek Flowers and catering by Thomas Preti Events to Savor transformed the evening into an immersive celebration of creativity and connection. Guests enjoyed a delicious dinner featuring sesame-crusted shrimp and corn nut-crusted steelhead trout, followed by a dessert of coconut key lime cake. Performances by Parsons Dance were a highlight of the event, taking place throughout the evening. The Afterglow Dance Party in the Lichtenstein Theater, headlined by DJ Jason Fioto of Generation Events, brought an influx of energy. Guests commandeered the dance floor until Midnight and enjoyed desserts from the coffee and donut lounge, courtesy of Capital One.
Image credit: Bre Johnson/BFA, Peter Zwolinski/BFA, and David Benthal/BFA
