Artists, collectors, curators, philanthropists, and cultural leaders gathered on the East End for one of the Hamptons’ most anticipated summer traditions as the Parrish Art Museum hosted its annual Midsummer Gala: A Night in the Clouds. Held on July 18, the benefit welcomed more than 700 guests and raised $1.7 million in support of the museum’s exhibitions, education programs, and community initiatives, with donations continuing beyond the evening.
More than a fundraising event, the gala reflected the Parrish’s role as one of the East End’s leading cultural institutions, bringing together the artists shaping its exhibitions alongside the patrons and collectors who help sustain them. This year’s paddle raise, led by Rachael White Young of Christie’s, benefited initiatives including ACCESS PARRISH and the museum’s extensive year-round educational programming.
Celebrating its tenth anniversary, ACCESS PARRISH develops museum experiences for neurodivergent visitors and individuals living with physical, developmental, and cognitive disabilities, expanding access to the arts through specialized programming. Proceeds also support the museum’s Student Art Exhibition, which annually features artwork by students from local schools, and the ARTscope Teen Council, a paid internship program introducing young people to careers across the arts ecosystem. Together, the initiatives reinforce the museum’s longstanding commitment to making contemporary art accessible across generations and communities.
Honoring Artists
Vinnie Kumar, Steven Horowitz, Astrid Hill Lloyd, Kimberly Taylor, Fred Seegal, Sandy Perlbinder, Charlotte Pilaro, Marty Cordes, Andrea Pemberton, Karen Mehiel, Louis Meisel. Photo by Bre Johnson/BFA.com.
This year’s gala honored philanthropist Ellen Katz alongside artists Enoc Perez, Joan Semmel, Hiroshi Sugimoto, and, in memoriam, Pat Steir—four figures whose practices have each expanded conversations around painting, photography, architecture, and contemporary art.
“Nothing brings me more joy than being able to honor the artists who make our communities thrive through access to their work,” said Executive Director Dr. Mónica Ramírez-Montagut during the evening’s program.
Reflecting on Steir’s enduring legacy, Dr. Ramírez-Montagut also announced the museum’s forthcoming exhibition Pat Steir: Color Wheel and Waterfalls, opening next summer.
Dr. Monica Ramirez-Montagut. Photo by Bre Johnson/BFA.com.
“We are delighted to honor her in memoriam not only through this evening, where we celebrate her life and her work, but also through the upcoming exhibition next summer, when we will be surrounded by her monumental, expansive work and able to honor her legacy here at the Parrish.”
Artist Sheree Hovsepian, who attended the gala, will likewise be the subject of an upcoming solo exhibition, “SHEREE HOVSEPIAN: CAPTURING THE ‘THAT-HAS-BEEN,’” opening September 18, 2027.
Art on View at the Parrish Art Museum
Fred Seegal, Ellen Katz. Photo by Bre Johnson/BFA.com.
Throughout the evening, guests explored the museum’s galleries, terraces, and expansive meadows while viewing a series of exhibitions that highlighted both historical and contemporary practices. On view were “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.”
The exhibition program underscored the Parrish’s commitment to presenting internationally recognized artists alongside long-term scholarly projects and site-responsive installations, allowing the museum’s architecture and landscape to become part of the viewing experience throughout the evening.
Among the artists in attendance were Sanford Biggers, Sheree Hovsepian, Gwen O’Neil, Enoc Perez, Ugo Rondinone, Will Ryman, Joan Semmel, and Nina Yankowitz. Joining them were John and Justine Leguizamo, Chris and Cristina Cuomo, Jonathan Simkhai, HH Sheikha Alia Al-Maktoum, Lisa and Richard Perry, Gabby Karan and Gianpaolo de Felice, Karen and Dennis Mehiel, Assemblyman Tommy John Schiavoni, and State Representative Rebecca Seawright.
An Evening in the Hamptons
Photo by Bre Johnson/BFA.com.
Dinner Co-Chairs Charlotte Pilaro and Yanina Fuertes, together with Afterglow Chair Alexandra Dennett, welcomed guests for a sunset dinner overlooking the museum’s grounds. Floral installations by Arthur Golabek Flowers complemented the minimalist architecture, while Thomas Preti Events served a seasonal menu featuring sesame-crusted shrimp, corn nut-crusted steelhead trout, and coconut key lime cake.
As twilight settled over Water Mill, Parsons Dance delivered one of the evening’s standout performances before guests continued to the Afterglow celebration, where DJ Jason Fioto of Generation Events kept the festivities going late into the evening. Cocktails by Casa Dragones, desserts, coffee, and a late-night donut lounge rounded out the celebration.
