The Collection Gala celebrated its first annual event supporting the Dallas Museum of Art (DMA), with a benefit dinner and art auction, presented by Sewell.

The sold-out black-tie event, supported by a dedicated group of Collectors, was held at the Dallas Museum of Art in Dallas and hosted more than 420 guests for an evening honoring Dallas’ art community.

“The Collection Gala marks the next chapter of the DMA’s beloved annual gala first conceived 65 years ago by Margaret McDermott. From the Beaux Arts Ball to the Art Ball, we continue to reimagine how an annual celebration of our important history, encyclopedic collections, generous patrons and engaged community will continue to inspire and sustain our mission for years to come,” said Dallas Museum of Art Board of Trustees Chairman Sharon Young.

“We are deeply grateful to our sponsors, the galleries, the artists and everyone who made our vision for this special celebration a reality, demonstrating what can happen when art, creativity and generosity come together,” added Gowri N. Sharma, Board of Trustees President.

Following more than 60 years of the DMA Art Ball and 25 years of TWO x TWO for AIDS and Art, The Collection Gala emerged as a bold new event that united the local art community and longtime supporters of both initiatives. The gala honored past Art Ball chairs, the DMA Board of Trustees, and the philanthropic contributors of TWO x TWO for their dedication to the arts. As North Texas’s only encyclopedic art museum, the DMA serves as a vital cultural hub, connecting audiences of all ages through transformative art experiences. Proceeds from The Collection Gala supported the Museum’s mission by funding groundbreaking exhibitions, innovative educational programs, and the stewardship of its more than 25,000-object collection, while also ensuring broad access to the arts.

The event was made possible through the generous support of The Collectors, a distinguished group of local art patrons, including Jacquelin and William Atkinson, Christina and Sal Jafar II, Catalina Gonzalez Jorba and Santiago Jorba, Kasey and Todd Lemkin, and Amanda and Charlie Shufeldt. Featured artist Emmi Whitehorse delivered remarks during the evening, and her work Forest Floor was included in the auction.

The gala was designed by Todd Fiscus of Todd Events, who drew inspiration from Mark di Suvero's Ave sculpture, a permanent fixture at the museum. A bold, modern palette of red, black, and white was brought to life with sculptural details and contemporary lighting. Guests began the evening at cocktail hour with a welcome bar serving the signature Kástra Dirty Martini featuring Kástra Elión Vodka and a Spicy Blood-Orange Margarita crafted with Casa Dragones Blanco Tequila. A Glambot, sponsored by Auger, captured cinematic slow-motion video of attendees.

The evening continued in a second tent for dinner, where the striking color palette carried through the design. At the entrance of the tent, a Neiman Marcus bar wowed guests. Sharon Young and Gowri Sharma welcomed and thanked attendees, then introduced Brian Ferriso, newly appointed Eugene McDermott Director of the Dallas Museum of Art. Guests enjoyed a multi-course dinner by Cassandra of Art2Catering while enjoying the sounds of DJ Romi Q.

There were 37 works of art offered in the live and silent auctions, featuring works by artists Emmi Whitehorse, Tunji Adeniyi-Jones, Hayal Pozanti, William Atkinson, Thalita Hamaoui, Sarah Martin-Nuss, and more. Luxury experience packages were also presented, including a one-of-a-kind trip to Italy with BVLGARI and a bespoke Parisian experience with Harris Reed of Nina Ricci, presented by The Conservatory, among others. The live auction was presented by Sotheby’s and conducted by Phyllis Kao, auctioneer and Vice President of Sotheby’s New York.

Following dinner, an after-party, sponsored by Kástra Elión Vodka in partnership with the Charlie and Moll Anderson Family Foundation, transformed the cocktail hour space into luminous hues of the brand’s signature blue. Guests sipped the Kástra Dirty Martini and Kástra Espresso Martini from custom Kástra Elión martini fountains, and danced late into the night with music by DJ ADAMUSIC.

All images courtesy of The Collection Gala, Steve Lucero/BFA, Bruno, Snap the Picture