Southampton Arts Center Raises Record-Breaking $1 Million At SummerFest Gala

On Saturday, August 22, Southampton Arts Center celebrated the annual SummerFest Gala, welcoming over 400 guests and breaking a fundraising record by raising $1 million in support of SAC. The evening honored 2026 Champion of the Arts Award winners, John Paulson and Alina de Almeida, for their dedication to the arts. The couple also recently gifted SAC the funds through The Paulson Family Foundation to transform the grounds into the Paulson Family Gardens, which served as the stunning backdrop for the evening.

The gala, which was co-chaired by Anke & Jürgen Friedrich, Jamee & Peter Gregory, Audrey & Martin Gruss, Simone & David Levinson, and Chris & Richard Mack, kicked off with a musical performance from Escola de Samba BOOM and a cocktail reception with tastings from local eateries including Clamman, Dopo Argento, The Party Perfectionist, Hamptons Gifts & Events, Saaz, and Shippy’s. Guests enjoyed passed small plates and sipped on cocktails by LALO, Aphrodise, Amante, and The Macklowe whiskey collection, as they were invited to visit “The Photography Collection of Judy Glickman Lauder,” which will be on display until September 27.

Following the cocktail hour, guests gathered in the garden for a beautiful dinner by Acquolina Catering, surrounded by gorgeous floral arrangements designed by Arthur Golabek as fairy lights twinkled overhead. The exceptional evening was complemented by music by Olivier Meiji and was attended by Southampton Arts Center board members and supporters, including Hilary and Wilbur Ross, Jane Holzer, Phyllis and Bill Mack, Christine and Richard Mack, Jennifer and Amb. David Fischer, Pepe Fanjul, Jamee and Peter Gregory, Barbara and Randall Smith, Fern Mallis, Barbara and Scott Greenstein, Kim Heirston, Mayor William Manger, Ali and Lew Sanders, Nicole and Allen Salmasi, Jen Weis and John Monsky, Kara Ross, Wendy and Howard Cox, Katharina Otto-Bernstein and Nathan Bernstein, Julie and Billy Macklowe, Barbara and Amb. Cliff Sobel, Cristina and Chris Cuomo, and Lynn Scotti.

Midway through the event, Southampton Village Mayor William Manger Jr. took the floor to present a proclamation to John Paulson and Alina de Almeida, before Simone Levinson, a founder and chairperson of SAC, thanked everyone for attending and spoke about the importance of the SAC and the incredible generosity of John Paulson and Alina de Almeida.

Levinson stated, “Southampton Arts Center is my happy place because it embodies a spirit of generosity and collaboration that is all too rare in the world today. Our invitation should come with a warning label, because like Hotel California: you can check out anytime you like, but you can never leave.” She continued, “With great appreciation to many of you here this evening, SAC has continued to elevate and strengthen our village over these past 14 years as a platform to share the treasure trove of talent within our community.”

Honorees John Paulson and Alina de Almeida then took the stage to receive the 2026 Champion of the Arts award from Levinson. John Paulson stated, “The goal we had was to create an oasis in the middle of the village. The moment you walk through the gates you leave the traffic and noise behind and you’re transported into a bucolic garden full of nature and beauty.” He went on to thank Levinson for her hard work in bringing the project to life, as well as Chris LaGuardia for his beautiful execution of the gardens and Alina for inspiring the idea during a stroll along Jobs Lane.

This year’s SummerFest host committee included Debbie & Glenn August, Jill Braufman & Dan Nir, Wendy & Howard Cox, Walter Deane, Molly & Bill Ford, Lauren & Marty Geller, Marc Glimcher, Marjorie & Josh Harris, Yaz & Valentin Hernandez, Jane Holzer, Sharon & Anton Katz, Beth & Chris Kojima, Hilary & Wilbur Ross, Barbara & Randall Smith, Sarah & Andrew Wetenhall, Silvia & Sophocles Zoullas.

The proceeds from this event enable SAC to host four world-class exhibitions and offer 150 programs each year. Annually, SAC attracts over 50,000 visitors who enjoy a variety of activities, including film, music, dance, theater, children’s events, lectures, wellness programs, and workshops. These initiatives further SAC’s mission of building community through the arts and supporting local businesses, enhancing the vitality of the beautiful village of Southampton.