Inside The Asian Art Museum’s Annual Gala

Photo Credit: Drew Altizer

Last week 850 well-dressed art lovers gathered at the Asian Art Museum for its annual gala and after-party. The event raised over $1.6 million for its renowned education department. Transformation was the theme of the evening and the event moved from cocktail reception to seated dinner to after-party seamlessly.

Photo Credit: Drew Altizer

The museum itself is going through a transformation. Architect Kulapat Yantrasast, who attended the event, is responsible for a substantial $90 million expansion of the museum. During the evening, images of his renovations were displayed on the ceiling of a specially-designed tent made specifically for the gala. Also displayed on the ceiling? A video by artist Saya Wookfalk.

Photo Credit: Drew Altizer

The after-party featured a silent disco, DJ Norris Lee, live band, The Spazmatics, and a photo booth by Samsung. Local luminaries who got decked out for the fancy affair? Mayor Ed Lee’s widow, Anita Lee, SFMOMA’s director, Neal Benezra, San Francisco Opera director, Matthew Shilvock. As for the best-dressed ladies in attendance, we loved Stephanie Marver and Akiko Yamazaki’s orange gowns, Catherine Kwong’s frilly white number, and Kaitlyn Krieger’s chic cocktail sheath.

Photo Credit: Drew Altizer

Photo Credit: Devlin Shand for Drew Altizer

Photo Credit: Devlin Shand for Drew Altizer Photography

Photo Credit: Drew Altizer

Photo Credit: Drew Altizer

Photo Credit: Devlin Shand for Drew Altizer Photography

Photo Credit: Drew Altizer

Photo Credit: Drew Altizer