Inside The Asian Art Museum’s Annual Gala

Sako Fisher and Anna Gavazzi
Sako Fisher and Anna Gavazzi

Photo Credit: Drew Altizer

Last week 850 well-dressed art lovers gathered at the Asian Art Museum for its annual gala and after-party. The event raised over $1.6 million for its renowned education department. Transformation was the theme of the evening and the event moved from cocktail reception to seated dinner to after-party seamlessly.

David Nash and Kulapat Yantrasast
David Nash and Kulapat Yantrasast

Photo Credit: Drew Altizer

The museum itself is going through a transformation. Architect Kulapat Yantrasast, who attended the event, is responsible for a substantial $90 million expansion of the museum. During the evening, images of his renovations were displayed on the ceiling of a specially-designed tent made specifically for the gala. Also displayed on the ceiling? A video by artist Saya Wookfalk.

A hip-hop ballet performance at the event
A hip-hop ballet performance at the event

Photo Credit: Drew Altizer

The after-party featured a silent disco, DJ Norris Lee, live band, The Spazmatics, and a photo booth by Samsung. Local luminaries who got decked out for the fancy affair? Mayor Ed Lee’s widow, Anita Lee, SFMOMA’s director, Neal Benezra, San Francisco Opera director, Matthew Shilvock. As for the best-dressed ladies in attendance, we loved Stephanie Marver and Akiko Yamazaki’s orange gowns, Catherine Kwong’s frilly white number, and Kaitlyn Krieger’s chic cocktail sheath.

Kaitlyn Krieger
Kaitlyn Krieger

Photo Credit: Drew Altizer

Denise Hale and Mark Leno
Denise Hale and Mark Leno

Photo Credit: Devlin Shand for Drew Altizer

Julie Simpson and Mike Krieger
Julie Simpson and Mike Krieger

Photo Credit: Devlin Shand for Drew Altizer Photography

Trent Norris and Jack Calhoun
Trent Norris and Jack Calhoun

Photo Credit: Drew Altizer

Jessica Silverman and Eungie Joo, Sara Thornton
Jessica Silverman and Eungie Joo, Sara Thornton

Photo Credit: Drew Altizer

SAN FRANCISCO, CA - March 1 - Atmosphere at Asian Art Museum Gala 2018 on March 1st 2018 at Asian Art Museum in san francisco, CA (Photo - Ando Caulfield for Drew Altizer Photography)
SAN FRANCISCO, CA – March 1 – Atmosphere at Asian Art Museum Gala 2018 on March 1st 2018 at Asian Art Museum in san francisco, CA (Photo – Ando Caulfield for Drew Altizer Photography)
Sung Jin Ingriselli
Sung Jin Ingriselli

Photo Credit: Devlin Shand for Drew Altizer Photography

Stephanie Marver
Stephanie Marver

Photo Credit: Drew Altizer

Catherine Kwong and Chloe Warner
Catherine Kwong and Chloe Warner

Photo Credit: Drew Altizer