MoMA's Party in the Garden 2026 Honors Betye Saar and Martin Puryear
On Tuesday night, the Museum of Modern Art hosted its annual Party in the Garden in Midtown, celebrating the contributions of artists Betye Saar and Martin Puryear, as well as philanthropist Jo Carole Lauder. The event aimed to generate funds for the museum’s operations, exhibitions, collection care, and educational programs. Guests enjoyed dinner within the museum before heading to the Abby Aldrich Rockefeller Sculpture Garden for an after-party, which featured consecutive DJ performances by Tinashe and Rebecca Black. Attendees included museum leaders Christophe Cherix, Sarah Arison, and Marie-Josée Kravis; artists such as Derrick Adams, KAWS, and Carrie Mae Weems; patrons like Michael Bloomberg and Lizzie Tisch; and notable figures like comedian Chris Rock and designer Wes Gordon.
Key facts
- MoMA's Party in the Garden 2026 honored Betye Saar, Martin Puryear, and Jo Carole Lauder.
- The event was held on Tuesday night in Midtown at the Museum of Modern Art.
- Dinner took place inside the museum, after-party in the Abby Aldrich Rockefeller Sculpture Garden.
- DJ sets were performed by Tinashe and Rebecca Black.
- Guests included artists Derrick Adams, Firelei Báez, KAWS, Anna Deavere Smith, Rashid Johnson, Louise Lawler, An-My Lê, Glenn Ligon, Julie Mehretu, Odili Donald Odita, Sable Elyse Smith, Hank Willis Thomas, Carrie Mae Weems, and Leo Villareal.
- Philanthropists and patrons included Michael Bloomberg, Sid Bass, Paula Crown, Cat Gund, David Rockefeller Jr., Susan Rockefeller, and Lizzie Tisch.
- Arts leaders present were Connie Butler, Thelma Golden, Antwaun Sargent, and Jack Shear.
- Comedian Chris Rock and cultural critic Tefi Pessoa also attended.
Entities
Artists
- Betye Saar
- Martin Puryear
- Derrick Adams
- Firelei Báez
- KAWS
- Anna Deavere Smith
- Rashid Johnson
- Louise Lawler
- An-My Lê
- Glenn Ligon
- Julie Mehretu
- Odili Donald Odita
- Sable Elyse Smith
- Hank Willis Thomas
- Carrie Mae Weems
- Leo Villareal
- Tinashe
- Rebecca Black
Institutions
- Museum of Modern Art (MoMA)
- Abby Aldrich Rockefeller Sculpture Garden
- CULTURED
Locations
- Midtown
- New York City
- United States