LACMA’s 50th Anniversary Gala, Co-Chaired by Ann Colgin, Jane Nathanson, and Lynda Resnick, Raises $5 Million and Featured a Live Performance by Seal

On Saturday, April 18, 2015, the Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA) celebrated the museum’s 50th anniversary at a special fundraising gala, co-chaired by LACMA trustees Ann Colgin, Jane Nathanson, and Lynda Resnick. The evening welcomed approximately 750 guests and raised $5 million, the proceeds of which will benefit the museum’s programming and acquisitions. LACMA’s 50th Anniversary Gala was sponsored by Christie’s. 

In honor of the occasion, Mrs. Nathanson and Mrs. Resnick gifted significant works of art to the museum’s collection; in addition, the two trustees led a campaign encouraging other patrons to donate or bequeath major artworks to LACMA. Gala attendees had an opportunity to preview the broad range of new gifts in a special exhibition, 50 for 50: Gifts on the Occasion of LACMA’s Anniversary (on view to the public April 26–September 13, 2015), which is sponsored by Bank of America.

Image credits:

(Shown left to right) (detail) Cross, Zagwe dynasty, 13th–14th century, Bronze, Cross, 16th century, Iron, Cross, late Zagwe dynasty, 14th–15th century, Bronze, Cross, 15th century, Iron, Cross, 15th–17th century, Iron, Purchased with funds provided by the Ancient Art Deaccession Fund and the Decorative Arts and Design Deaccession Fund in honor of the museum’s 50th anniversary, Photo © Museum Associates/ LACMA

Taddeo Gaddi, Crucifixion with the Madonna and Saint John the Evangelist (detail), c. 1360, Oil and tempera on panel, 24 x 13 in. (61 x 33 cm), Promised gift of Suzanne Deal Booth in honor of the museum’s 50th anniversary, Photo © Museum Associates/LACMA

Trunk (Baúl) (detail), second half of the 17th century, Mexico, Peribán, Wood, lacquer, 25 1/2 × 43 1/2 × 18 1/2 in. (64.77 × 110.49 × 46.99 cm), Gift of Ronald A. Belkin in honor of LACMA’s 50th Anniversary, Long Beach, California

Zhang Hong, Portrait of Master Huanyu (detail), 1626, China, Ming dynasty, Tianqi Reign, Hanging scroll; ink and colors on silk, Gift of Sharon and Robert H. Blumenfield in honor of the museum's 50th anniversary