Photo courtesy of Haute Media
Phoenix Art Museum welcomed nearly 500 guests on Friday, April 11, for its annual gala fundraiser The pARTy in the Garden, followed by the late-night afterpARTy. This year’s event celebrated the Arizona premiere of internationally acclaimed exhibition The World of Anna Sui and brought in $2.2 million in support of the Museum’s exhibitions, arts education programs, free-access hours, and vital operations — the most raised in the gala’s nearly 20-year history. The record-breaking event was chaired by Jordan Rose and Rob Walton and Jay Franke and David Herro, with afterpARTy co-chairs Andrew and Jennifer Cooper.
“On behalf of everyone at Phoenix Art Museum, I extend our heartfelt thanks to the chairs, guests, and supporters of this year’s pARTy in the Garden, including designer Anna Sui who joined us to celebrate the Arizona premiere of The World of Anna Sui,” said Jeremy Mikolajczak, the Museum’s Sybil Harrington Director and CEO. “Each year, the gala brings in invaluable support for our mission, and this year, we are humbled to be the recipients of a record-breaking display of generosity, which included a $1 million gift from Jordan Rose and Rob Walton to ensure the longevity of our contemporary art program.”
Set beneath the stars in the Dorrance Sculpture Garden, the gala event captured the spirit of “rock ‘n’ roll romance” inspired by the designs of iconic American designer Anna Sui. Guests arrived in striking fashions and enjoyed immersive décor, an elegant culinary experience courtesy of Tarbell’s, and a private preview of The World of Anna Sui before it opened to the public. During the evening, the Museum announced for the first time a $1 million gift from Jordan Rose and Rob Walton to launch the Rob Walton, Jordan Rose, and Rose Law Group Fund for Contemporary Art. The endowment fund will provide ongoing support for contemporary art exhibitions, educational programs, and scholarship, strengthening the Museum’s longevity in this critical area. This gift, coupled with $1.2 million raised through individual ticket sales, table sales, and donations, brought the Museum to an astounding $2.2 million raised in behalf of the institution.
Following dinner, the Museum transformed for The afterpARTy, an exclusive, museum-after-dark experience that this year was chaired by Jennifer and Andrew Cooper. Guests enjoyed a live performance by international electronic music sensation Felix Cartal, along with custom cocktails, late-night bites, desserts, and art-inspired activities. All proceeds for The afterpARTy also benefit the Museum’s exhibitions, education programs, free-access times, and operations.
