Creative Time Raises Over $700,000 at Russian Tea Room Gala

The 2026 gala hosted by Creative Time at the Russian Tea Room successfully garnered over $700,000 for public art initiatives. The Bear Lounge was creatively redesigned, showcasing a 15-foot bear aquarium and Venetian glass eggs reminiscent of Fabergé. Among the honorees were Michelle Coffey, Molly Gochman, and Guadalupe Maravilla, with Executive Director Jean Cooney hinting at a significant public commission involving Maravilla. For the first time, Nordstrom partnered with the gala. The after-party, led by co-chairs Miles Greenberg, Neil Hamamoto, and Ilana Savdie, featured a Creative Time x Nordstrom ice luge and DJs Leigh Lezark and Jean d'Armes. Guests enjoyed temporary tattoos depicting the Russia-Ukraine border from Gochman's UKR|RUS artwork, with over 450 attendees, including notable figures like Tunji Adeniyi-Jones and Kara Walker.