Brooklyn Museum's Annual Gala Set for Tonight

On Wednesday evening, April 18, 2012, the Brooklyn Museum will host its annual fundraising gala, the Brooklyn Artists Ball. This year's ball will celebrate women artists and recognize the fifth anniversary of the Elizabeth A. Sackler Center for Feminist Art, the only space of its kind in the nation.

During the evening, Elizabeth Sackler will be presented with the Augustus Graham Medal, named after a founder of the Museum and awarded each year in recognition of a strong commitment to the arts and continued support of the Brooklyn Museum. In addition, Brooklyn women artistsMartha Rosler, Amy Sillman, and Mickalene Thomas will be presented with the Asher B. Durand Award, named for the artist who gave the first work of contemporary art to enter the Museum's collection. 

Museum Trustee Carla Shen and Museum patron Nilani Trent are Co-Chairs of the event. Academy Award-winning actress Marisa Tomei, who was born and raised in Brooklyn, will act as Honorary Chair. 

The Brooklyn Artist's Ball will commence at 6:30 p.m. with a cocktail reception featuring a new video installation created especially for the evening by artist Nicole Cohen in the Martha A. and Robert S. Rubin Pavilion. 

Following the cocktail reception, an elegant seated dinner will take place in the Museum's magnificent Beaux-Arts Court. Guests will dine at table environments created for the occasion by sixteen Brooklyn women artists selected by the Museum's curators:Natalie Frank, Chitra Ganesh, Kate Gilmore, Kimberley Hart, Malia Jensen, Fay Ku,Liz Magic Laser, Simone Leigh, Nicola López, Carmen McLeod, Sheila Pepe, Kenya Robinson, Valeska Soares, Swoon, Janaina Tschape, and Saya Woolfalk. Each artist will transform a 40-foot-long table into a new work of art that will be on view for one night only. 

For the first time, the Brooklyn Museum will partner with artnet.com to present The Brooklyn Artists Ball Auction, which features works donated by women artists. Details about the works to be auctioned will be announced at a future date. For more information and to register to bid, please visit www.artnet.com/auctions/brooklynmuseum.