Over 270 patrons, artists, and architects gathered at the National Academy Museum and School Gala to honor sculptor Stephen Antonakos, painter Morton Kaish, and architect Kevin Roche on May 19, 2011. 

Artists and guests previewed the recently renovated galleries in advance of the Academy’s reopening in September.  The galleries’ striking installation featured works of art donated for the gala’s silent auction by National Academicians and school faculty, including Will Barnet, Charles Cajori, Lois Dodd, Richard Estes, Jane Freilicher, Yvonne Jacquette, Bill Jensen, Wolf Kahn, Alex Katz, Joyce Kozloff, Robert Kushner, Robert Mangold, Melissa Meyer, Tom Nozkowski, Susan Rothenberg, and Dana Schutz. 

The National Academy Lifetime Achievement Award presentations were made by architect Thom Mayne to Mr. Roche, painter Everett Raymond Kinstler to Mr. Kaish, and Brett Littman, Executive Director of the Drawing Center, to Mr. Antonakos.  Each of the recipients is a member of the National Academy, or National Academician (NA). 

Among those in attendance were Gala Co-Chairs Alice N. Griffin, Dawn Handler Harbart, Helene Jaffe, Mary Mattingly.  Also present were Lori Bookstein, Caroline and David Croen, Zita Davisson and Gary Lawrance, Harry and Misook Doolittle, Lyn Handler, Amanda Grove Holmén and Rob Holmén, Ana Laffont, Betsy and Hunt Lawrence, Christopher and Sherman Meloni, Bridget Moore, Michael Rosenfeld, and Steven Reiss.  National Academy President Richard Haas, Chair David Kapp, Vice President Bruce Fowle, and Director Carmine Branagan hosted the evening. 

The lead sponsor of the Gala was Citi. 

The Gala raised over $400,000 for the National Academy’s exhibition and education programs. 

Founded in 1825, the National Academy Museum and School is the only institution of its kind that integrates a museum, art school, and honorary association of artists and architects dedicated to creating and preserving a living history of American art. The Academy promotes American art and architecture through exhibition and education and continues to play a critical role in fostering the visual arts in America.