The Montclair Art Museum hosted Hidden Treasures

A fundraiser that honored the Leir Charitable Foundations and celebrated the Museum’s exhibitions.

The Montclair Art Museum hosted its annual gala this past Saturday, May 12, from 6:30-10:30 p.m. Guests came out for a special celebration themed “Hidden Treasures – A Gentlemen’s Gala.” This event honored the involvement of the co-chair committee made up of all gentlemen.

Gentleman Co-Chairs John M. Dowd, Jim Leitner, Michael Heninburg, Jr., Rick Andlinger, James E. Johnson, and Andrew Lacey with MAM Director Lora Urbanelli. (Not pictured: Gala Co-Chair Terry Wall) Photo Credit: Andy Foster

Adrian Shelby, MAM’s chair of external affairs and longtime Museum supporter, also served as honorary chairwoman. The Leir Charitable Foundations, introduced by Shelby to the Museum, were honored for their continual and transformational support of the Museum. In past years, the Foundations gifted the Museum with Leir Hall, a spectacular three-story room, as well as funded the Cezanne and American Modernism exhibition.

MAM Director Lora Urbanelli with Honorary Gala Co-Chair and MAM Chair of External Affairs Adrian Shelby Photo Credit: Andy Foster

Kicking off the celebration at 6:30 p.m., guests enjoyed passed hors d’ oeuvres and cocktails while browsing and bidding on items in the silent auction. In addition, the night recognized hidden treasures within the Museum. The three exhibitions of the night included Look Now: Modern and Contemporary Art from Private Collections, New Media: New Forms, and Patterns, Systems, Structures: Abstraction in American Art. Many of the pieces came from private collections and were for the first time exhibited at the Museum.

Honorary Gala Co-Chair Adrian Shelby with Dassie Hoffman and Arthur Hoffman, President of the Leir Charitable Foundations, during "This Little Light of Mine" performed by the Bethany and Rufus Roots Quartet with special guest Gala Co-Chair James E. Johnson Photo Credit: Andy Foster

As the night carried on, guests gathered for dinner and a special performance by the Bethany and Rufus Roots Quartet. The performance blended music of the African Diaspora, Native American Prayer, American Spirituals, and ceremonial rhythms. This soul stirring performance led into the final event of the night, a live auction. As guests participated in the live auction, they shared their support for the Museum’s exhibitions and educational program.

Rufus Cappadocia, Bethany Yarrow (daughter of folk legend Peter Yarrow of Peter, Paul, and Mary), MAM Trustee and Gala Co-Chair James E. Johnson, Belinda Becker, and Sheila Anozier Photo Credit: Andy Foster