The Frist Gala Electrified the Night

The air was electric as guests arrived for the annual Frist Gala. The main entrance was decorated to celebrate the Jeffrey Gibson installation, The Body Electric. Co-chairs Delphine Damon and Cathy Grier stunned in coordinating pink gowns that perfectly aligned with the theme’s colors. As the art institution’s largest fundraiser of the year, the Frist Gala has raised millions of dollars to support the museum’s mission: “to present and originate high-quality exhibitions with related educational programs and community outreach activities.” This work is vitally important to communities — as it is well noted, and studies show that access to the arts stimulates creativity, incites thoughtful conversation and elicits a sense of calm. 

During the cocktail hour, guests mingled with friends and enjoyed delicious hors d’oeuvres and cocktails; revelers were also invited to freely explore the installation. Jeffrey Gibson is of Cherokee heritage as well as a member of the Mississippi Band of Choctaw, and he is considered one of today’s leading artists. His work seamlessly weaves together “traditional Indigenous art and culture with a modernist visual vocabulary.” 

After exploring the exhibit, guests made their way to the beautiful tent — designed by Hugh Howser of H3 Events — which was a stunning and modern setting for the evening. Hugh created an almost elite, club-like vignette for some tables in the room, complete with a second bar. Neon pink lighting splashed across the room, and crystalline accents fueled the vibrancy and energy as guests were seated for dinner. Reflecting on the evening, Frist Art Museum Executive Director Seth Feman commented: “It is such an honor for us to be a place so warmly embraced by the generous guests at tonight’s event. Art has the capacity to do so much for people. We open our doors every day to inspire, delight and educate, but we also are a place of quiet and respite in times of personal crisis and civic distress in our city.” He concluded with thanks, saying, “The generosity of the people attending the Frist Gala helps make this possible, and for that, we are profoundly grateful.”