Where Legacy Meets Art: The Coney Family Marks Five Years of Cultural Impact at Art Basel

Photo Credit: Les Coney

In 2025, the Coney Family proudly marks the fifth anniversary of its annual Art Basel Recognition Reception — a tradition lovingly carried forward by Les, Chanel, and Javon Coney, whose commitment to celebrating Black artistic excellence has shaped the event into a widely respected cultural touchpoint. What began as a small vision to uplift African American artists has evolved into a defining moment during one of the world’s most influential contemporary art gatherings.

Photo Credit: Les Coney

More than a ceremony, the reception has become a place where legacy is honored, creativity is elevated, and a vibrant community continues to thrive.

Photo Credit: Les Coney

Five Years, Five Visionaries: A Legacy Etched in Creativity

Year 1: Denise Gardner — A Trailblazer in Arts Leadership

The inaugural recognition set the tone for everything that followed. Denise Gardner, the first woman—and the first person of color—to chair the Board of Trustees of the Art Institute of Chicago, reshaped what leadership in the arts could look like. Her dedication to philanthropy and governance carved a path for future generations, embodying the reception’s mission: to celebrate those who change not only the arts, but the world around them.

Photo Credit: Les Coney

Year 2: Bisa Butler — Reimagining History Through Textiles

In the second year, the honor went to acclaimed textile artist Bisa Butler, whose vibrant quilted portraits transform African American history into living, breathing visual stories. Her work radiates memory, identity, and cultural truth. Through color and cloth, she gives voice to ancestors, visionaries, everyday heroes—and in doing so, redefines the possibilities of contemporary portraiture.

Photo Credit: Les Coney

Year 3: Nick Cave — A Master of Movement, Ritual & Imagination

Nick Cave’s recognition in year three celebrated an artist whose work defies categorization. His iconic “Soundsuits”—gleaming, surreal, and transformative—invite viewers into a world where sculpture, performance, and movement collide. Cave’s practice transcends art; it becomes ritual, refuge, and rebellion. His contributions expand the vocabulary of contemporary expression, affirming the vital role of Black performance in global culture.

Photo Credit: Les Coney

Year 4: Hank Willis Thomas — A Provocateur of Visual Truths

Hank Willis Thomas was honored in year four for his fearless interrogation of identity, race, memory, and representation. His photography, sculpture, and public installations challenge audiences to reconsider the images that shape collective understanding. Thomas is not merely an artist; he is a cultural catalyst—expanding conversations, reframing narratives, and reminding the world of the power embedded in seeing, and being seen.

Photo Credit: Les Coney

Year 5 (2025): Mickalene Thomas — Redefining Power, Beauty & Black Femininity

This year’s honoree, Mickalene Thomas, stands as a luminous embodiment of artistic possibility. Her bold, opulent compositions—rich with texture, glamour, and unapologetic presence—redefine how beauty, identity, and Black womanhood are portrayed in contemporary art. Thomas’ recognition marks not only her own extraordinary achievements but the culmination of a five-year journey honoring brilliance, courage, and creative liberation.

Her work does not simply adorn walls. It radiates power. It commands space. It transforms the gaze.

Photo Credit: Les Coney

A Celebration Rooted in Legacy & Community

The reception unfolds within the serene, architectural embrace of The Setai, Miami Beach—an icon of Art-Deco elegance infused with Asian-inspired tranquility. Lantern-lit walkways, serene pools, and lush interiors create a setting that mirrors the event’s spirit: refined, intimate, powerful.

Within this space, the past and present meet. Each portrait, each honoree, and each gathering becomes part of a living archive—one that honors resilience, celebrates creativity, and affirms the essential role of African American voices in shaping global culture.

The Coney Family’s recognition has evolved into a moment of communion. It is where patrons, collectors, artists, curators, and cultural leaders come together not simply to witness excellence—but to honor it, uplift it, and ensure its continued legacy.

Photo Credit: Les Coney

Five Years Behind, a Vibrant Future Ahead

Reaching the fifth anniversary is not the end of a chapter—it is the beginning of a new one. With renewed purpose, the Coney Family looks forward to:

• championing emerging talent
• celebrating established visionaries
• preserving cultural narratives
• and expanding space for Black artistic brilliance

Photo Credit: Les Coney

The next five years promise even greater resonance, deeper impact, and a widening circle of recognition. What started as a seed of an idea has become a cultural institution—one that celebrates not only individual achievement, but the collective radiance of African American artistry and leadership.

The legacy is vibrant. The tradition is alive. And the story is still being written.