Rob Giardinelli
Dynamic Fundraising Was Woven Among The Museum Galleries
By Rob Giardinelli Photography By: Chase Hall, Joe Johnson, and Kaitlin Saragusa
THE SCENE: The Dallas Contemporary Museum was the setting for a night of artistic fun and fundraising that those fortunate enough to be a part of will not soon forget. Over 300 of North Texas’ most notable art patrons, community leaders, socialites, and philanthropists attended the 2025 Dallas Contemporary Gala.
THE VIBE: The artistic, black-tie crowd featured patrons donning traditional black-tie ensembles of black and white, with others opting for more bold fashion choices, including vibrant prints and metallics. The result was a festive and welcoming atmosphere for all attendees.
Costume Design
Patrons of the gala kicked off the night in a unique, artistic style. A series of atmospheric still lives was projected at the entrance by Dallas-based photographer Shayna Fontana Horowitz. Once inside, guests entered one of the three main museum spaces for a lively cocktail hour where guests could peruse an impressive lot of silent auction items, featuring works donated by top artists including Ali Dipp, Chris Wolston, Katherine Bradford, Maria Haag, Willie Binnie, and Xxavier Edward Carter.
Guests then took to their seats for dinner inside the You Stretched Diagonally Across It: Contemporary Tapestry exhibit inside the Dallas Contemporary. While partygoers dined on a delectable, multi-course meal courtesy of Headington Companies, they were treated to words from organization and event leaders thanking them for their continued patronage and support of the Dallas Contemporary.
Next came a spirited live auction helmed by Brett Sherlock of Christie’s. The paddles and fundraising increased as they bid on an array of cultural experiences, including front-row seats at Milan Fashion Week with Missoni, a three-night experience with PERROTIN New York gallery, and an Art Basel Hong Kong experience, which proved to be the most popular among the guests.
The night was capped off inside Dallas Contemporary’s Galleries with an epic after-party. Revelers enjoyed signature highballs and soft serve ice cream while others danced and partied the night away courtesy of a live set by DJ GE-OLOGY.
THE NON-PROFIT: The 2025 Dallas Contemporary Gala, co-chaired by Shayna Fontana Horowitz and Robyn Siegel, with Peter Augustus Owen and Robyn Siegel serving as auction co-chairs, raised over $1 million for the Dallas Contemporary Museum. Proceeds raised from the event will support the museum’s education, curatorial, and program initiatives, furthering the organization’s mission to champion contemporary artistic practices through exhibitions, performances, and programs.
