Midsummer Gala Raises Nearly $1.4 Million for the Museum’s Education and Cultural Initiatives
Artists Sanford Biggers, Rafael Lozano-Hemmer and Nina Yankowitz Honored for Artistic Vision; Current and Upcoming Exhibitions Previewed
Philanthropic Honorees, Sandy and Stephen Perlbinder Recognized for Their Enduring Impact on Arts, Education and Community in the East End
On Saturday, July 19, the Parrish Art Museum welcomed more than 720 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: Echoes of the Cosmos. The event raised nearly $1.4 million in support of the Museum’s exhibitions, education initiatives, and inclusive programming with donations still coming in. A dynamic paddle raise led by Kimberly Pirtle Gabriel, Sotheby’s, helped to significantly support initiatives including ACCESS PARRISH, which provides tailored arts experiences for individuals with cognitive and physical disabilities, autism, cancer, Parkinson’s disease, and Alzheimer’s disease, and the Artscope:Teen Council, a program that introduces high school students to careers 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, Mónica Ramírez-Montagut recognized this year’s gala honorees, including Artists: Sanford Biggers, Rafael Lozano-Hemmer, Nina Yankowitz, and Philanthropists Sandy and Stephen Perlbinder.
“Sandy and Stephen Perlbinder embody the essence of arts patrons: deeply engaged, endlessly curious, and unwavering in their support of the Parrish,” said Mónica Ramírez-Montagut, Executive Director of the Museum. “It is a profound privilege to honor their legacy and the tremendous impact they’ve had on the cultural fabric of this region. Likewise, we celebrate the artistic vision and bold innovation of Sanford Biggers, Nina Yankowitz, and Rafael Lozano-Hemmer, each of whom continues to explore and expand the boundaries of contemporary art and inspire our community through their innovative work.”
The 2025 Midsummer Gala was led by Dinner Chair, Charlotte Lucas Pilaro, and Afterglow Chair, Laurence Milstein, with the support of Host Committee members Elizabeth and David Granville-Smith, Alexandra Stanton, Yanina Fuertes, and Frederic M. Seegal.
Photo: Andrew Pilaro and Dinner Chair, Charlotte Lucas Pilaro, Parrish Art Museum Midsummer Gala 2025. Photo, BFA David Benthal
From left to right: Afterglow Dance Chair, Laurence Milstein, Katherine Brinson, Monica Ramirez-Montagut, Sheree Hovsepian, and Rashid Johnson at the Parrish Art Museum Midsummer Gala 2025. Photo, BFA David Benthal
Among the distinguished guests were artists Sanford Biggers, Eric Fischl, April Gornik, Sheree Hovsepian, Rashid Johnson, Mel Kendrick, Rafael Lozano-Hemmer, Shantell Martin, Arcmanoro Niles, Joan Semmel, Sean Scully, Michelle Stuart, Mickalene Thomas, and Nina Yankowitz. Notables in attendance included Erin Burnett, Casey Fremont, Steve Israel, Sandra Lee, Mayor William Manger Jr., Dennis and Karen Mehiel, Bertha González Nieves, John Paulson, and Ramona Singer.
The Parrish Art Museum’s Board of Trustees includes Co-Chairs Frederic M. Seegal and Alexandra Stanton; Co-Presidents Sean Cohan and George Wells; Vice President Sandy Perlbinder; and Secretary Martha McLanahan. Trustees include Ejim Achi, Nina Sarin Arias, Deborah F. Bancroft, Ruchira Bhuyan, Catherine Carmody, Marty Cordes, Suzi Cordish, Yanina Fuertes, David Granville-Smith, Lisa Green, Notoya Green, Dr. Harvanit Kumar, Astrid Hill Lloyd, Louis K. Meisel, Laurence Milstein, Andrea Pemberton, Charlotte Lucas Pilaro, Kimberley Taylor, Marlies Verhoeven, Joey Wölffer, and Elizabeth Langton 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 Sean Scully: The Albee Barn, Montauk, Shirin Neshat: Born of Fire, and FRESH PAINT: Raven Halfmoon. Attendees also enjoyed cocktails outdoors, a sunset dinner, and a paddle raise on the Mildred C. Brinn Terrace. 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. At dusk the exhibition Rafael Lozano-Hemmer’s exhibition Collider came to life on the Museum’s façade.
Members of Parsons Dance in Hedley Studios automobile, Parrish Art Museum Midsummer Gala 2025. Photo, BFA, Zach Hilty
A highlight of the event was the performances by Parsons Dance throughout the evening. The Afterglow Dance Party in the Lichtenstein Theater, headlined by DJ Inflyt brought an influx of energy as guests enjoyed desserts and commandeered the dance floor until Midnight.
Hedley Studios automobiles were on display during cocktail hour along with full bars set up in the Meadow serving Casa Dragones signature cocktails and tequila tastings throughout the event.
Presenting Sponsors:
Casa Dragones Tequila, Hedley Studios, Northern Trust
“Casa Dragones Tequila has long championed the arts, proudly supporting contemporary artists and cultural institutions across Mexico and around the world,” says Bertha González Nieves, Co-Founder and CEO of Casa Dragones. “We’re honored to support the Parrish Art Museum’s Midsummer Gala and its deep commitment to accessibility, education, and artistic excellence as we celebrate the artists and programs making a lasting impact.”
“What an honor it is for Hedley Studios to be at The Parrish Museum and present our classic car recreations in the presence of such accomplished artists and this very generous community. We particularly appreciate the opportunity to support the Museum’s educational programs introducing students to careers in the arts. It is an inspiration for our own work, bringing legacy craftsmanship to a new generation,” explains Hedley Studios founder, Ben Hedley.
“It’s been a joy to support the Parrish Art Museum this summer—from the Midsummer Gala to the Sean Scully exhibition—as part of our shared commitment to expand creative opportunity and build community through the arts,” said Jennifer Smith, Senior Managing Director at Northern Trust. “We’re especially proud to champion programs like Artscope:Teen Council and ACCESS PARRISH, which open doors for the next generation of creators and leaders.”
ADDITIONAL SPONSORS
Crozier Fine Arts, MAVIK, Wells Group, Greenberg Traurig, Wölffer Estate Vineyard, Campari Group, Lisson Gallery, Verity Investigative Group, Inc. / Derek Nelson
ARTIST HONOREES
SANFORD BIGGERS
Encompassing painting, sculpture, sound, video, and performance, Biggers’ work explores the ways in which our pasts shape us. Drawing from a diverse range of influences, including Buddhism, Hip Hop, and Afrofuturism, Biggers has invented a highly stylized visual language that employs antique Japanese quilts, African masks, and classical European sculpture to investigate identity and culture. His work is held in
major collections, including MoMA and the Met.
Sanford Biggers will have a solo exhibition at the Parrish from May 17-September 13, 2026. The show will be curated by Chief Curator Corinne Erni, and Associate Curator Scout Hutchinson.
RAFAEL LOZANO-HEMMER
Blending architecture, performance art, and technology, Lozano-Hemmer creates participatory artworks with robotic lights, computerized surveillance, and sound. His work has been featured globally, including at the Venice Biennale, and is held in the collections of MoMA, Guggenheim, and Tate. His monumental light installation Collider—visible on the Parrish façade through January 1, 2026—reacts in real time to cosmic radiation and was activated as part of the Gala celebration.
NINA YANKOWITZ
A pioneer of feminist and multimedia art, Yankowitz’s practice spans painting, installation, and new media. A founding member of the Heresies Collective, her work has been featured in the Whitney Biennial, and is in the permanent collections of MoMA, the Smithsonian, and the Whitney Museum.
Organized in partnership with the Museum of Fine Arts, St. Petersburg, Fla., Nina Yankowitz: In the Out/Out the In will be on view at the Parrish from October 5, 2025-February 22, 2026. A major retrospective, featuring 36 works—ranging from draped and pleated canvases to immersive multimedia installations.
PHILANTHROPIC HONOREES
SANDY AND STEPHEN PERLBINDER
Integral to the Parrish for over five decades, the Perlbinders have supported the Museum through visionary leadership, architectural patronage, and steadfast generosity. Sandy Perlbinder, a current Vice President of the Board, has championed accessibility and excellence across the Museum’s programs.
PRESENTING SPONSORS
Northern Trust has been a strong supporter of the arts and culture in the communities we serve since our founding in 1889. Over the last ten years, Northern Trust has donated over $240 million to charitable causes worldwide—approximately $85 million of which has been designated to arts and cultural institutions, exhibitions, and education. We recognize the vital importance of art creation and celebrating artistic achievement and are honored to continue our commitment here in the Hamptons through current Parrish sponsorships of both this summer’s Sean Scully exhibition and this evening’s Midsummer Gala.
Casa Dragones Tequila has long championed the arts, supporting contemporary artists and cultural institutions in Mexico and beyond. Through artist collaborations, limited-edition bottles, and immersive experiences at major art fairs, they blend innovation and craftsmanship into every detail of their small batch sipping tequilas. Casa Dragones is proud to continue this commitment in the Hamptons through its
support of the Parrish Art Museum and this evening’s Midsummer Gala.
About Hedley Studios
Hedley Studios stands at the intersection of fine art and automotive excellence, transcending traditional boundaries to craft limited-edition vehicles that are both fully functional and rare collectables in a category all their own. Hedley is the only studio globally authorized and officially licensed by Aston Martin, Bentley, Bugatti, and Ferrari to recreate their most iconic vintage cars. They are offered with a range of customization options so that each piece is a truly unique work of drivable art. Each Hedley is numbered, signed by the artist, and features an official chassis plate from the automotive OEM. Produced at 66–85% scale, Hedley Studios automotive icons are powered by zero-emission electric propulsion systems. Founded by Ben Hedley in 2019, Hedley Studios is based at Bicester Heritage in Oxfordshire, England, where
each piece is handcrafted by a team of dedicated artisans commemorating automotive history. hedleystudios.com | concierge@hedleystudios.com
For media inquiries, images, or interviews, contact:
Melanie Tolan | tolanm@parrishart.org
Rachel Judlowe | rachel@judlowe.com
