Didn’t make it to the Met Gala this year? My invitation got lost in the mail too. Fortunately for us, there are great opportunities to support the arts and get dressed up for a cool theme right in our backyard in Washington, DC.
The Phillips Collection hosted their two annual galas this past Friday on the theme of Australia.
The Phillips’ annual gala, Marks Made, Ancestral Lands Under Australian Skies, and it’s counterpart for the younger set, the Bondi Beach Bash, took center stage in the arts scene this weekend, drawing a crowd of the most philanthropic and well-connected professionals in Washington.
Both galas support arts education and raised crucial resources for the Phillips Collection’s renowned education initiatives, including K-12 arts education programs and arts and wellness integration initiatives. These programs inspire creativity, enhance learning experiences within our local and global communities, and foster a better understanding of our world through art.
The Marks Made gala, held in the historic Phillips collection itself, was an exquisite affair attracting more than 400 prominent figures in business, politics, and culture, who dined among the renowned artworks of the Phillips.
I had the chance to stop by the elegant cocktail hour that took place on the main floor and courtyard of the Phillips collection before the formal dinner began. The evening was off to a festive and cultured start. The australian skies and bondi beach themes were also a perfect excuse to break out some of this spring’s essential trends like a straw clutch or bright dress.
The nod to Australian culture in both the annual gala and Bondi beach bash coincides with the upcoming exhibition Marking the Infinite: Contemporary Women Artists from Aboriginal Australia, which will open at the Phillips on June 2nd.
Meanwhile, the Bondi Beach Bash, inspired by Sydney’s world-famous waterfront party, got started across town at Dock 5 at Union Market. A stylish and trendy affair, the Contemporaries Bash featured Australian-inspired bites, beachy beats curated by the DJ, and a premium open bar for partygoers to enjoy.
The Contemporaries Bash is a sell-out event, attracting more than 700 young professionals and young leaders. DC’s vibrant community of art lovers, creatives, and philanthropists had the opportunity to party in style at this acclaimed event.
Guests enjoyed a lively night of dancing, mingling, and capturing the fun at themed photo stations around the event space.
If you missed the annual gala or Contemporaries bash this year, be sure to mark your calendar for early May 2019. This is a night not to be missed in DC’s ever-expanding and evolving artistic community.
