National Portrait Gallery’s “Face Forward → Artist Party”

On Saturday, Nov. 10, more than 500 special guests gathered at the Smithsonian’s National Portrait Gallery sporting creative dress for the museum’s “Face Forward → Artist Party”.  The evening soirée was hosted by Kim Sajet (Director) with the exhibition leadership committee Michael and Catherine Podell, Glen and Sakie Fukushima, John Daniel Reaves and Wendy Wick Reaves, Elle G. Miles and Neil R. Green, and Walter Moore and Patricia Quealy Moore. The occasion celebrated the Portrait Gallery’s 50 years and the many artists who have contributed to the latest chapter of portraiture in America. The night offered passed hors d’ oeuvres, cocktails and desserts, caricature stations, music by violinist Joe Kye and DJ Ayes Cold. Special remarks were shared by Cathy Podell (Commissioner) and Kim Sajet (Director). Guests also enjoyed a private viewing of “Eye to I: SelfPortraits from 1900 to Today” featuring more than 75 artist self-portraits, largely drawn from the National Portrait Gallery’s collection. The exhibition remains on view through Aug. 18, 2019. 

 

Notable artists and supporters who attended include:

 

Ellen G. Miles and Neil R. Greene, Walter Moore and Patricia Quealy Moore, Michael and Catherine Podell, and John Daniel Reaves and Wendy Wick Reaves. 

Enrique Chagoya, Chuck Close, Patricia Cronin, Harry Gamboa, Jr., Ken Gonzales-Day, Deborah Kass, Byron Kim, Hung Liu, Kadir Nelson, Jefferson Pinder, Alison Saar, Amy Sherald, Shahzia Sikander, Molly Soda, Camille Utterback, and Kumi Yamashita.
 

Luis Carle, Tim Doud, Ben Durham, Heidi Fancher, Muriel Hasbun, Linn Meyers, Tim Okamura, Louie Palu, Caitlin Teal Price, Sheldon Scott and Brenda Zlamany.   SPECIAL GUESTS Lyndon Barrois (Commissioner); Randall Boe; Jungmiwha Bullock; Danielle Parris Canfield (Commissioner); Kate Capshaw; Melissa Burnett; H.E. The Ambassador of Switzerland, and Mrs. Dahinden; Nancy Lee Kemper (Commissioner); Welmoed Laanstra; Angela Marriott; Amy Meadows; David McCombs (Commissioner); Denny O’Toole (Commissioner); Paul Peck; Eduardo Rabassa (Commissioner); Elizabeth Ryan (Commissioner) and Phil Ryan; Virginia Shore; Susan Stamberg; Alyssa Taubman (Commissioner); Secretary David J. Skorton (Smithsonian Institution); Annie Totah; and Joe Ujobai (Chair, National Portrait Gallery Commission). National Portrait Gallery The Smithsonian’s National Portrait Gallery tells the multifaceted story of the United States through the individuals who have shaped American culture. Spanning the visual arts, performing arts and new media, the Portrait Gallery portrays poets and presidents, visionaries and villains, actors and activists, whose lives tell the American story.  The National Portrait Gallery is part of the Donald W. Reynolds Center for American Art and Portraiture at Eighth and F streets N.W., Washington, D.C. Smithsonian information: (202) 633-1000. Connect with the museum at npg.si.edu, Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, YouTube and the museum’s blog.