Queens Museum 2026 Gala Honored Artist Derrick Adams and Celebrated Community Champion Queens Borough President Donovan Richards Jr.

The Queens Museum’s 2026 Gala was held on Monday, May 18. The evening brought together over 300 artists, curators, musicians, designers, civic leaders, and more to celebrate a momentous year for the Museum and its vision for the future of culture and creativity in Queens. This year, the Gala honored artist Derrick Adams and Community Champion Award recipient Queens Borough President Donovan Richards Jr.

The evening began with a cocktail reception curated by The August Tree featuring local vendor Burmese Bites. Guests mingled in the Museum’s Skylight Gallery; lush florals by Sophie Stone provided a verdant spring backdrop for the evening. Attendees explored the Museum’s extensive exhibitions, including Fia Backström: The Great Society and About Us: The American Imaginary curated by the Terra Foundation Fellows, along with The Panorama of New York City.

As guests took their seats in the Central Atrium, students from Astoria, Queens’ Frank Sinatra School of the Arts performed an a cappella rendition of Stevie Wonder’s “For Once in My Life.” The dinner was catered by Abigail Kirsch, and dessert featured Lady M’s signature Mille Crêpes. The evening’s program began with an introduction from Queens Museum Board Chair Paula Kirby, who marked the occasion of this year’s Gala as a milestone: Sally Tallant’s final Gala as President and Executive Director. Tallant thanked the Museum’s supporters and reflected on her tenure. She spoke of building an institution and world where everyone belongs and welcomed incoming Executive Director Debra Wimpfheimer to the stage. Wimpfheimer celebrated Tallant’s legacy and contributions to the Museum, and introduced Diya Vij, the recently appointed New York City Commissioner of Cultural Affairs. Vij reflected on what a museum can be when it shows up as a true neighbor, and spoke to the Queens Museum’s commitment to being a place that is for and by the people of Queens. She then introduced Community Champion Award recipient Queens Borough President Donovan Richards Jr. and noted his support for the Museum through the allocation of more than $7.5 million in capital investments since he took office. Richards celebrated the Queens Museum as a pillar of the community and spoke passionately about the vision for the new Suna Children’s Museum, insisting that families shouldn’t have to leave the borough for a world-class cultural destination.

Following, an exciting live artwork auction in partnership with Sotheby’s was held to raise funds to support the Museum’s mission and help realize the vision for the forthcoming Suna Children’s Museum. The live auction and paddle raise was led by Sotheby’s auctioneer Christy W. Coombs and featured four exceptional artworks generously donated by artists Derrick Adams, b. Robert Moore, Katherina Olschbaur, and Guy Stanley Philoche. Guests who donated to the paddle raise were also entered to win one of four exclusive VIP experiences that were contributed by Forest Hills Stadium, The Governor’s Ball, Metropolitan Park/The New York Mets, and New York City Football Club. Following the excitement of the live auction, Board Trustee Anwarii Musa introduced honoree Derrick Adams, whose exhibition View Master at the ICA Boston will travel to the Queens Museum in 2027. Adams reflected that a work of art becomes complete only when it is presented before an audience, and that art is not about exclusivity but connectivity. Guests were then invited to move to the dance floor for the Gala After Party DJ’d by Quiana Parks. This year’s annual Gala was produced by Erica Sarlo & Co.

A vibrant mix of art patrons, elected officials, philanthropists, artists, designers, and more attended the event, including: Fia Backström (artist), Christina Chan (Terra Foundation Fellow), Jackie Langsam (Queens Borough Parks Commissioner), Paul Ochoa (NYC DDC Commissioner), Katherina Olschbaur (artist), Annette Parkins (Terra Foundation Fellow), Antwaun Sargent (Gagosian Gallery), Tricia Shimamura (NYC Parks Commissioner), Shanel Thomas-Henry (Council Member), and Carlos David Trujillo (Terra Foundation Fellow).

Artist Committee: Derrick Adams, b. Robert Moore, Katherina Olschbaur, Guy Stanley Philoche

After Party Committee: Storm Ascher, Sarah Daoui, Stevenson Dunn, Erin Goldberger, Larry Ossei-Mensah, Christel Michelle, Anwarii Musa*, James Powell, LaToya Stone*, Amiraa Vee

Benefit Committee: Angelo Baque*, Sam Charney*, Ming Chiang*, Christine Ciampa*, Amy D’Amato*, Patsy Doerr*, Dominique Goss*, Hauser & Wirth, Paula Kirby*, Arthi Krishnamoorthy*, Seth Kupferberg*, Lorraine Chambers Lewis*, Lord Cultural Resources, Metabolic Studio, Hanna Miller*, Anwarii Musa*, New York City FC, Aliza Nisenbaum*, Jim Paladino*, Yvonne Riley-Tepie*, Bevin Savage-Yamazaki*, Denise Scott*, Alan Suna*, Peter Warwick*, Gretchen Werwaiss*, James White*

Event Sponsor: Metropolitan Park

Premium: Bloomberg Philanthropies, Seth Kupferberg*, Metabolic Studio, New York City FC, Resorts World New York City, Helen and Peter Warwick*

Benefactor: Plaxall, Queens Development Group

Patron: Charney Companies, LLC*, Amy and Christopher D’Amato*, Molly Gochman, Anwarii Musa*, Jim Paladino*, The Suna Family Foundation*, The Werwaiss Family*, James White*, Yu Shan Co. USA, Ltd.*

Supporters: Dr. Valerie Alikakos, Berlin Rosen, Nicholas Fluehr, The Carter Galvan Family, Dominique Goss*, Ellen Honig, Elmhurst Hospital, Arthi Krishnamoorthy* and Nicholas Rogers, LEVENBETTS, Miyoung Lee and Neil Simpkins, Lord Cultural Resources, Hanna Miller*, Jessica Morgan, Orange Barrel Media, Paula Cooper Gallery, Bevin Savage-Yamazaki*, USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center, Debra Wimpfheimer, Ruth Wimpfheimer

Sponsors: The 2026 Annual Gala is sponsored by Metropolitan Park. In-kind support is provided by The Governor’s Ball, Forest Hills Stadium, Lady M Cakes, Metropolitan Park, New York City FC, Sotheby’s, and taylor creative inc. ny.

*Members of QM’s Board of Trustees