At Its Annual Gala, the Studio Museum in Harlem Looks Ahead

On Oct. 30, leaders of The Studio Museum in Harlem were joined by artists, cultural luminaries, civic leaders, philanthropists, and a host of prominent New Yorkers for the institution’s annual gala. Attended by more than 600 guests, the event was a moment of celebration for the Studio Museum’s past, present, and future as it gears up for the opening of its new home on 125th Street. Thelma Golden, the museum’s director and chief curator, greeted the guests and presented the annual Joyce Alexander Wein Artist Prize to painter Cy Gavin. Raymond J. McGuire, chairman of the board, introduced the evening’s honoree, Dr. Elizabeth Alexander, president of the Mellon Foundation, which is providing support for the museum’s new building. The evening raised more than $3.2 million to uphold the museum’s mission to support artists of African descent. Notable attendees included Adam Weinberg, Connie Butler, Antwaun Sargent, Glenn Ligon, Derrick Adams, Dawoud Bey, Spike Lee, Tschabalala Self, Alex Da Corte, Charles Gaines, Rashid Johnson, Julie Mehretu, Amy Sherald, Awol Erizku, Sarah Sze, David Byrne, Lorde, Hank Willis Thomas, Questlove, and more. Photos by Bre Johnson/BFA.