On a warm July evening in Water Mill, more than 700 artists, philanthropists, and patrons gathered at the Parrish Art Museum for its 2025 Midsummer Gala: Echoes of the Cosmos—an event that quietly reaffirmed its place as one of the East End’s most culturally significant nights. The gala raised nearly $1.4 million in support of the museum’s educational programming and exhibitions, blending purpose and elegance in a way that felt natural, not performative.

Hosted across the museum’s terraces, meadows, and gallery spaces, the evening unfolded like a curated experience—layered with art, design, and a communal sense of why it all matters. There were performances, speeches, and striking exhibitions, but the throughline was clear: the value of sustaining art, access, and conversation across generations.

This year’s honorees reflected the museum’s dual commitment to creativity and philanthropy. Artists Sanford Biggers, Nina Yankowitz, and Rafael Lozano-Hemmer were recognized for their groundbreaking work across sculpture, installation, and technology-driven art. Their influence stretches well beyond museum walls—Biggers’ fusion of Afrofuturism and antique textiles, Lozano-Hemmer’s large-scale light installations, and Yankowitz’s feminist multimedia works each push against artistic boundaries.

Also honored were longtime benefactors Sandy and Stephen Perlbinder, whose decades of support have helped shape the museum’s mission. “Sandy and Stephen embody the essence of arts patrons,” Ramírez-Montagut continued, “deeply engaged, endlessly curious, and unwavering in their support of the Parrish.” Sandy Perlbinder currently serves as Vice President of the museum’s Board of Trustees.

The exhibitions on view during the gala gave guests full access to the museum’s current programming. Sean Scully’s The Albee Barn, Montauk, Shirin Neshat’s Born of Fire, and Raven Halfmoon’s Fresh Paint anchored the evening’s walk-throughs. As the sun set, Lozano-Hemmer’s Collider installation illuminated the museum’s façade—reacting in real time to cosmic radiation and reinforcing the gala’s celestial theme.

Décor by Arthur Golabek Flowers created a soft counterpoint to the museum’s minimalist architecture, while catering by Thomas Preti offered refined seasonal dishes that never tried too hard. It was all designed to let the art—and the atmosphere—speak for itself.

Outside on the Mildred C. Brinn Terrace, a dynamic paddle raise led by Sotheby’s Kimberly Pirtle Gabriel helped fuel key initiatives, including Access Parrish, which provides tailored arts experiences to people living with cognitive or physical disabilities, and Artscope:Teen Council, a program connecting local high school students to careers in the arts.

Among those spotted during the evening: artists Eric Fischl, April Gornik, Mickalene Thomas, Joan Semmel, Shantell Martin, and Rashid Johnson, alongside civic leaders and media figures like Erin Burnett, Sandra Lee, and Ramona Singer. Despite the notable guest list, the tone remained cool and unhurried—less red carpet, more museum salon.

After dinner, Parsons Dance took the spotlight with high-energy performances throughout the galleries. And when the lights dimmed, the Afterglow Party in the Lichtenstein Theater carried the night into its next phase, with DJ Inflyt spinning to a packed dance floor as guests sipped Casa Dragones tequila and explored the museum’s outdoor spaces lit for late-night wanderings.

The evening was supported by presenting sponsors Casa Dragones, Hedley Studios, and Northern Trust, each contributing to the event in ways that felt authentic rather than obligatory. Guests sipped signature cocktails and browsed Hedley’s electric luxury cars during cocktail hour—drivable works of art that paired seamlessly with the night’s aesthetic.

Northern Trust, meanwhile, continued its longstanding support of arts education. “It’s been a joy to support the Parrish this summer—from the Midsummer Gala to the Sean Scully exhibition,” said Jennifer Smith, Senior Managing Director. “We’re especially proud to champion programs like Artscope and Access Parrish.”

With exhibitions from Biggers and Yankowitz already planned for 2026, the museum’s future is just as compelling as its past. But on this particular night, that sense of continuity—the cosmos evoked in the theme—played out in real time: art connecting people across generations, backgrounds, and boundaries.