Stars Align for the American Portrait Gala
By • November 20, 2019 0 1180
The Smithsonian’s National Portrait Gallery attracted more than 700 to its spectacular American Portrait Gala Nov. 17. The red carpet event shimmered with cultural icons, celebrities and artists—and raised more than $2 million to support the museum. Awardees were Frances Arnold, scientist, engineer and Nobel Laureate; Jeffrey P. Bezos, tech entrepreneur and philanthropist; Earth, Wind & Fire (Maurice White [posthumously], Philip Bailey, Verdine White, Ralph Johnson), award-winning American band Lin-Manuel Miranda, composer, lyricist and actor; Indra Nooyi, business executive; and Anna Wintour, editor-in-chief of Vogue, U.S. artistic director and global content advisor of Condé Nast. They received the museum’s “Portrait of a Nation Prize” for significant contributions to America’s shared history, development and culture. Their portraits compose the museum’s “Recent Acquisitions” exhibition on view through Aug. 30, 2020.
Annie Leibovitz and Anna Wintour. Photo by Ryan Kobane, courtesy NPG.
Gala co-chairs Susanna Quinn and Kristin Cecchi. Photo by Ryan Kobane, courtesy NPG.
Lauren Sánchez, Jeff Bezos and Gayle King. Photo by Paul Morigi, courtesy NPG.
