NYC’s Art Community Travel Upstate to Celebrate Dia Beacon’s Spring Benefit

On a rainy Saturday morning, guests from across the art world made their way upstate to celebrate the annual Dia Beacon Spring benefit and to honor artists Stanley Brouwn, Robert Irwin, Senga Nengudi, and Jack Whitten. Although the sunshine was noticeably absent, after turning a few corners in the airy museum, attendees were greeted by a myriad of bright yellow butterfly ranunculus bouquets lining the luncheon tables in the Chamberlain galleries.

While a chilled spring pea soup was poured at each table setting, guests like Yara Shahidi and Derek Blasberg posed for pictures before taking their seats at the gala. Nathalie de Gunzburg, Dia’s chairman of the board of trustees, kicked off the celebration with opening remarks, thanking her co-chairs Matthieu Blazy, artistic director of Bottega Veneta, and conceptual artists Aria Dean and Glenn Ligon.

Naturally, the fashion was just as inspiring as the exhibition’s art. Several guests were dressed to the nines in Bottega Veneta, from the Andiamo bag on the shoulders of Jane Skinner, co-executive producer of NBC/NFL Films television series Earnin’ It: The NFL’s Forward Progress, to the runway-worthy plaid shirt worn by writer, editor, and curator Antwaun Sargent. In a divine leather dress by the label, Jessica Morgan, Dia’s director, reminded everyone that just a week ago, the community gathered at the same spot to celebrate Dia Beacon’s 20th anniversary. Before paying homage to Cameron Rowland, the artist behind Depression (2018), one of the latest sites at Dia, Morgan explained, “We’re continuing to extend and expand and open our doors towards the future.”

Indeed, they are. Once lunch concluded, attendees were free to browse the massively serene exhibitions. See all of the futuristic art and unforgettable moments from the annual Dia Spring benefit ahead.