Echoes Of The Cosmos: Parrish Art Museum’s Midsummer Gala Raises $1.4 Million For Education & Cultural Initiatives

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, educational initiatives, and inclusive programming, with donations still being received. 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 Artscope: Teen Council, a program introducing 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. 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. 

Among the 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, Pat Steir, Michelle Stuart, Mickalene Thomas, and Nina Yankowitz. Erin Burnett, Casey Fremont, Steve Israel, Sandra Lee, Mayor William Manger Jr., Dennis and Karen Mehiel, Bertha González Nieves, John Paulson, and Ramona Singer were also in attendance.