The Phillips Collection 2025 Annual Gala Celebrates Art’s Transformative Power and Raises $870,000 for Community Programs
The evening also honored individuals who exemplify art’s power to inspire, heal, and unite.
WASHINGTON, DC—The Phillips Collection 2025 Annual Gala: Powered by Artists on May 9 celebrated the museum’s commitment to education, community engagement, cultural diplomacy, and the exploration of modern and contemporary art. This year’s theme, Powered by Artists, reflects the legacy of museum founder Duncan Phillips and his wife, Marjorie, whose vision placed artists and their work at the heart of the museum’s mission.
More than 430 guests gathered for the Gala, including members of the diplomatic corps, artists, philanthropists, humanitarians, journalists, community leaders, and friends of the Phillips. Guests enjoyed cocktails in the courtyard and galleries, dinner among the museum’s renowned collection, and an After Party with live music, dancing, and dessert. Décor was inspired by artwork created through the Phillips’s Creative Aging program and school partnerships.
“The Annual Gala is a celebration of The Phillips Collection’s enduring commitment to art as a transformative force,” said Vradenburg Director & CEO Jonathan P. Binstock. “Through the generosity of our community, we’re able to expand access to arts education, deepen our community engagement, and ensure that the museum remains a welcoming space where people can connect through creativity and shared experience.”
The evening honored esteemed individuals who exemplify a commitment to the power of art to inspire, heal, and bring people together: Mirella and Dani Levinas (posthumously), who, as visionary collectors, transformed the cultural landscape of Washington, DC; and artist Dindga McCannon, whose art breaks boundaries and builds connections. Jarl Mohn, philanthropist and arts champion, was honored with the 2025 Duncan Phillips Award, the museum’s most prestigious recognition, for his dedication to the arts and contributions to the Los Angeles creative community.
Raising over $870,000, the gala supports the Phillips’s innovative education and community initiatives that make the museum a welcoming home for all. In 2024 alone, educational partnerships reached over 3,000 students through sustained, multi-visit programming, building authentic relationships with diverse communities and extending the impact of the museum beyond its walls.
Special guests included: Gala Co-Chairs Beatriz Bolton and Pamela Kaplan; Phillips Board Chair John Despres; Phillips Chair Emeritus George Vradenburg; H.E. Ambassador Al-Zain Al-Sabah, Ambassador of Kuwait; H.E. Laurent Bili, Ambassador of France; H.E. Miloslav Stašek, Ambassador of Czech Republic; H.E. Shigeo Yamada, Ambassador of Japan; H.E. Ambassador Motaz Zahran, Ambassador of Egypt; Joel Melchiori, First Counselor, Head of Cultural Office, Embassy of Italy; Miguel Albero, Head of Cultural Office, Embassy of Spain; James Roscoe, Deputy Head of Mission, British Embassy Washington, and Clemency Burton-Hill; Phil Mendelson, Chairman of the Council of the District of Columbia; Tasia Jackson, Chief of Staff to Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries; Kaywin Feldman, Director, National Gallery of Art; Caitlin Berry, Director of the Irene and Richard Frary Gallery; Heather Podesta; Stephen Kessler; artists McArthur Binion, Phillips Trustee Zoë Charlton, Marta Pérez García, Kent Monkman, Sheldon Scott, Joyce Wellman; Antonia Hitchens, Nina Totenberg; Allison Aubrey; Tom Bowman.
2025 GALA HONOREES
Mirella and Dani Levinas, In Memoriam
Dindga McCannon
Jarl Mohn, 2025 Duncan Phillips Award Recipient
DIPLOMATIC COMMITTEE
H.E. Laurent Bili, Ambassador of France to the US
H.E. Ralf Heckner, Ambassador of Switzerland to the US
The Right Honourable Lord Mandelson PC, His Britannic Majesty’s Ambassador to the United States
H.E. Ángeles Moreno, Ambassador of Spain to the US
H.E. Dr. Kevin Rudd AC, Ambassador of Australia to the US
H.E. Miloslav Stašek, Ambassador of the Czech Republic to the US
H.E. Shigeo Yamada, Ambassador of Japan to the US
H.E. Mariangela Zappia, Ambassador of Italy to the US
ARTIST COMMITTEE
McArthur Binion, Marta Pérez García, Sir Isaac Julien KBE RA, linn meyers, Pepón Osorio
GALA COMMITTEE
Beatriz Bolton (Co-Chair), Pamela Kaplan (Co-Chair), Connie Carter, Zoë Charlton, Tami Conetta, Julie Garcia, Soledad Guerra, Barbara Hawthorn, Mariana Levinas Huberman, Matthew Indre, Jennifer Lavinbuk, Gail Lione, Jane Lole, Judy Pomeranz, Brandi Saunders, Beth Smithson, Courtney Toomath-West, Serena Ziskroit
2025 GALA SPONSORS
Presenting Sponsor
Lugano
Champion
Bloomberg Philanthropies
Beatriz and Graham Bolton & Dosal Family Foundation
Jarl and Pamela Mohn
Partner
The Garcia Family Spotlight Foundation
Total Wine & More
Benefactor
Anonymous
Altria Group
Brown Advisory
Ednah Root Foundation
Stephanie and Greg Guyett
Daniel W. Hamilton
Christy Kavulic and Akio Tagawa
Kramer Levin
Jane Lole and Steven Sumberg with Randy Zwirn and Russell Katz
Northern Trust
PwC
The Embassy of the State of Qatar in the United States
Risk Strategies Company
Estate of Toni A. Ritzenberg
George Vradenburg
Reid Walker
Supporter
The Alper Family Foundation, Inc
ArentFox Schiff LLP and JM Zell Partners, LTD
Lisa Barry and James Gale
The Burns Group Merrill Lynch
Connie Carter, CØMPASS Real Estate
Chevy Chase Trust
Lindsay and Henry Ellenbogen
GRF CPAs & Advisors
Barbara Hawthorn and Robin Phillips
Bonnie and Harold Himmelman
Gail Lione and Barry Grossman
Mr. Ebrahim and Mrs. Sara Maghsoud
Roger Sant and Doris Matsui
WC Smith
PRESS IMAGES: High-resolution press images are available here. Please contact Lauryn Cantrell, lcantrell@phillipscollection.org for questions.
IMAGE: Group photo: Front row (L to R): Mariana Levinas Huberman, Beatriz Bolton, Pamela Kaplan, Middle row (L to R): Marta Pérez García, Jarl Mohn, Jonathan Binstock, Dindga McCannon; Back row: McArthur Binion. Photo © Tony Powell.
ABOUT THE PHILLIPS COLLECTION
Founded in 1921, The Phillips Collection is a welcoming home for all where the vision and spirit of artists thrive in intimate settings. As the first museum of modern art in the United States, the Phillips houses one of the world’s most celebrated Impressionist, Post-Impressionist, and modern art collections, and continues to grow its permanent collection with the work of important living artists. Its distinctive domestically scaled architecture combines three structures built over more than 125 years, among them the former home of the founders, Duncan and Marjorie Phillips. The Phillips’s impact extends nationally and internationally through its diverse, scholarly exhibitions; award-winning education programs for educators, students, and adults; and renowned Phillips Music series. Popular and impactful programs include those focused on art and wellness, its festive monthly Phillips after 5 events, and intimate Living Room talks. Through authentic programs and partnerships at Phillips@THEARC, the museum’s satellite location in Southeast DC, the Phillips extends its reach into Wards 7 and 8 and Prince George’s County, Maryland. The Phillips Collection is a private, non-government museum, supported primarily by donations.