BE THE ART
THE NEW CHILDREN’S MUSEUM TRANSFORMS ITS GALA
Annual Studio 200 Gala to be held November 6, 2021
The New Children’s Museum has built a reputation for hosting innovative and creative fundraising events. Five years ago, they launched Studio 200 on Island, an homage to New York’s famed Studio 54 and a play on their address, 200 West Island. Each year, the Museum transforms its contemporary space for Studio 200 to raise funds for their access programs.
Costumes are a hallmark of their galas – but for Be the Art, there’s a twist. Guests will come as a blank canvas (e.g., all white or solid color) and be transformed colorfully and artistically throughout the evening, creating their costume as they go!
“Our sensitivity to how children emerged from the pandemic largely influenced our work with artists this year, prompting us to incorporate themes like empathy and resilience,” said Reed Vickerman, interim executive director. “It is only fitting that this year’s gala considers how adults have also resiliently emerged – and we are allowing them to express that in their own unique way.”
Throughout the event, guests will have the opportunity to add color to their costume and transform themselves. In addition to paints, dyes and chalk, there will be other creative choices for adding colorful flair to one’s outfit such as bling, temporary tattoos, jewelry, feather boas and face painting.
The event co-chairs are husband and wife duo, Ed and Taryn Gillison. “Taryn and I are thrilled to chair the Museum’s gala this year,” said Ed Gillison, Chief Engineer RMS Digital Transformation for Lockheed Martin and Museum Board Member. “After months of being unable to be with friends and family, we can reconnect and celebrate the Museum’s mission and focus on contemporary art.”
Gala attendees will have free rein of the Museum, including the ability to play in the immersive installations. New this year will be the opportunity to slide down the 40-foot slide of El Más Allá (by artist Panca) and walk on In the Balance (by artist Risa Puno), an interlaced structure of balance beams in the Museum Park. Guests will also enjoy art-inspired food, creative cocktails and playful performances, both inside and outside the Museum. VIP ticket holders will be invited to a pre-event artist reception for a first look at artist David Israel Reynoso’s Teatro Piñata, which opens to the public the following week.
Studio 200: Be the Art will raise funds for the Museum’s many access programs, which enable children and families to experience art regardless of their circumstances. Forgoing the traditional live or silent auction, the Museum will have opportunities throughout the Museum for guests to “fund a need” via a QR code.
Studio 200 is sponsored in part by the generosity of Laurie Mitchell and Brent Woods, Tom and Cami Rosso, U.S. Bank, SDG&E and The New Children’s Museum’s Board of Directors. Event partners include Feast on This, San Diego Wine & Culinary, Raphael’s Party Rentals and Maktive. Media sponsors include Giving Back Magazine, Ranch and Coast Magazine and KPBS.
