ARTFEED — Contemporary Art Intelligence

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

institutional · 2026-05-05

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.

Key facts

  • Creative Time gala raised over $700,000
  • Event held at Russian Tea Room in New York
  • Honorees: Michelle Coffey, Molly Gochman, Guadalupe Maravilla
  • Nordstrom signed as first-time gala partner
  • After-party co-chaired by Miles Greenberg, Neil Hamamoto, Ilana Savdie
  • Temporary tattoos of Russia-Ukraine border from Gochman's UKR|RUS artwork
  • Over 450 guests attended
  • Jean Cooney teased major public commission with Maravilla

Entities

Artists

  • Miles Greenberg
  • Waris Ahluwalia
  • Michelle Coffey
  • Molly Gochman
  • Guadalupe Maravilla
  • Tunji Adeniyi-Jones
  • Anthony Akinbola
  • Chloë Bass
  • Brandon Blackwood
  • Jes Fan
  • Charles Gaines
  • Wes Gordon
  • Paul Arnhold
  • Daniella Kallmeyer
  • Shantell Martin
  • Anne Pasternak
  • Gabrielle Richardson
  • Duke Riley
  • Rachel Rossin
  • Rachel Scott
  • Chiffon Thomas
  • Kara Walker
  • Chloe Wise
  • Kate Young
  • Henry Zankov
  • Leigh Lezark
  • Jean d'Armes
  • Neil Hamamoto
  • Ilana Savdie

Institutions

  • Creative Time
  • Russian Tea Room
  • Nordstrom
  • Casa Dragones
  • House of Waris Botanicals
  • Galerie Magazine

Locations

  • New York
  • United States

Sources