Guild Hall Summer Gala Report
The 2019 Guild Hall Summer Gala took place on the evening of Friday, August 9 with an exhibition preview of ugo rondinone: sunny days (on view through October 14) at Guild Hall, followed by a short stroll to scenic Mulford Farm for cocktails and dinner catered by Art of Eating. The weather was warm and the atmosphere was uplifting, in sync with the artist Ugo Rondinone’s “sunny” exhibition, which includes sun paintings, sun sculptures, and children’s drawings of the sun (over 600 area children made pictures adding to those from around the world). Teenagers from the Suffolk Symphonic Choir of the Metropolitan Youth Orchestra greeted guests with song as they passed through the farm’s historic barn. Rondinone attended the event with his husband, renowned American poet John Giorno. Guests were encouraged to don “radiant attire,” which was interpreted as a range of bright colored fabrics, shimmering dresses, and sequined jackets.
As the master of ceremonies, celebrated author and Andy Warhol collaborator Bob Colacello welcomed patrons to an “ungala” (no auction, no solicitations—just a party), and noted the large number of artists in attendance, which included Ross Bleckner, Marcus Brutus, Eric Fischl, Ralph Gibson, April Gornik, Michael Halsband, Mary Heilman, Judy Hudson, Barbara Kruger, Robert Longo, David Salle, Cindy Sherman, Ned Smyth, and Pat Steir to name a few. Many artists turned up in tribute to the evening’s honoree in memoriam, long-time trustee, art collector, and renowned film producer Michael Lynne, and in support of Michael’s wife Ninah Lynne, who was surrounded by friends. Michael Lynne was memorialized by Eric Fischl, celebrated artist, Guild Hall Trustee, and Academy of the Arts President. In his remarks, Fischl described Michael as a brilliant friend, confidant, and advisor, and as such, Fischl revealed that he and his wife, painter and community organizer, April Gornik, would be donating $100,000 to the new Michael Lynne Museum Endowment at Guild Hall. Funds raised through the gala, the sale of artwork donated by Rondinone, and the new Lynne Endowment grossed over $1.1 million toward Guild Hall’s mission.
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