Tony Bechara, Photo El Museo del Barrio
El Museo del Barrio, the nation’s first Latinx, and Latin American cultural institution held its 2025 Gala at the Pool + Grill in the iconic Seagram Building on Wednesday evening. The event honored Tony Bechara, whose visionary leadership and dedication have shaped both El Museo del Barrio and the Latino art community for decades.
Cocktail hour at The Grill – photo by Marilyn Kirschner
Proceeds from the evening support El Museo’s exhibitions, educational programs, and the preservation of their permanent collection, ensuring their rich cultural legacy thrives for generations to come.
“I’m just passionate about art. My commitments to cultural institutions are for my artistic projects. They are an extension of my commitment to art, like unfinished murals in which I work during the night.” – Tony Bechara
Tony Bechara, Photo by Maku López – photo Courtesy Lisson Gallery
Tony Bechara, the Puerto Rican painter who championed Latin artists (including Carmen Herrera), passed away at the age of 83 last month. Tony lived and worked in New York City for most of his life. His prolific artistic career, spanning over five decades, positioned him as a pioneering figure in contemporary abstraction.
Karla Harwich, Elizabeth Steimberg, Jean Shafiroff
Tony was Chair of El Museo’s Board for 15 years, and his unwavering commitment helped shape the institution. In 2018, he donated $1 million to the institution’s endowment to support its curatorial and educational programs. Bechara was set to be honored by the museum at this gala. Instead, the evening was a tribute to his extraordinary life and the lasting impact of his legacy on the art world.
Karla Harwich, Maria Eugenia Maury, Agnes Gund, Sydie Lansing – photo by Marilyn Kirschner
Chairs for the event were Esty and Dan Brodsky, Victoria Espinosa, Agnes Gund, Karla Harwich, Maria Eugenia Maury, Yolanda Santos, and Karla Martinez de Salas, head of content for Vogue Mexico and Latin America.
Host Committee members David Weiner and Elizabeth Steimberg with Roy Kean & Lee Fryd – photo by Marilyn Kirschner
Vice Chairs of the event included Gabriela Hearst, Carolina Herrera, Barbara Tober, and Bloomberg Philanthropies. Among the Host Committee members were Sotheby’s, Christie’s, Jean Shafiroff, Carlos Motta, Elizabeth Steinberg, and David Weiner, all of whom came together to show their support for the art community.
Left: Thelma Golden and Ruben Toledo – photo by Marilyn Kirschner
Notable guests included art world heavyweights such as illustrator extraordinaire Ruben Toledo, Thelma Golden, head of the Studio Museum in Harlem, and Sydie Lansing, an artist, designer, and philanthropist.
Also in attendance were Jane Keltner de Valle, a longtime editor turned interior designer, and William A. Haseltine, the American scientist, businessman, author, and philanthropist known for his groundbreaking work on HIV/AIDS and the human genome.
Bill, who was frequently on television during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, told me during cocktails that it was his great friend, Tony Bechara, who introduced him to his wife, Maria Eugenia Maury, the philanthropist. Maury served as Board Chair of El Museo del Barrio for eight years and is a dedicated Board member.
Carolyn Tate Angel – photo by Marilyn Kirschner
The dress code for the evening, which began at 6:30 with cocktails by DOBEL Tequila, a longtime generous sponsor of the event, was “Creative Black Tie.” This is the most popular phrase these days, serving as a catchall for everything and anything. If not creative, most of the guests were festively attired for the vibrant event.
One guest, who carried a black clutch bag imprinted with the words, ‘I AM AN IMMIGRANT’, used the gala as an opportunity to make a timely political statement.
“Tony Bechara’s contributions to El Museo del Barrio are truly unparalleled. His visionary leadership, relentless advocacy, and deep belief in the power of culture to uplift communities helped shape the very identity of this museum.” – Karla Harwich, El Museo Del Barrio Museum Board Chair
The Pool Room – photo by Marilyn Kirschner
The Pool Room was stunningly decorated for the seated dinner. Grammy-nominated musical ensemble Leo Gruber & Tren Latino provided music. The Bechara love fest kicked off with Senator Charles Schumer’s warm and welcoming video address, followed by emotional speeches from Karla Harwich, Board Chair of El Museo del Barrio, and Executive Director Patrick Charpenel.
Accepting Bechara’s award in recognition of his extraordinary legacy as an artist, patron, and leader was Stanley T. Stairs. A performance by Soprano Larisa Martinez, followed by dancing and dessert, concluded the event.
In honor of artist Tony Bechara and this event, the museum partnered with Sotheby’s for an online auction. Bidding for El Museo’s Gala Auction closes on Friday, June 13th, at noon.
