At the New Museum Gala, A Master Class in Public Speaking

On April 3, Cipriani South Street hosted the museum’s annual benefit, where a star-studded list of speakers including writer Jacqueline Woodson, Mickalene Thomas, Tracee Ellis Ross, and more brought down the house over a three-course dinner. The evening opened with a cocktail reception attended by notables including Leonardo DiCaprio and his art adviser, Ralph DeLuca. Dinner guests enjoyed musical performances by Deon Jones and DJ April Hunt, as well as an auction steered by Gabriela Palmieri—which featured Thomas’s Dior Lady Art 8 bag and a six night cruise of the Ionian sea aboard a yacht with exterior artwork by Jeff Koons, among other high ticket items. Notables in attendance included Theaster Gates, Cindy Sherman, Sanford Biggers, Nari Ward, Lisa Yuskavage, Tschabalala Self, Thelma Golden, Derrick Adams, JiaJia Fei, Jasmine Wahi, and more. Photo credit: Yvonne Tnt/BFA.