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Funding the Future of Art through the 2025 Blanton Gala

Funding the Future of Art through the 2025 Blanton Gala

Introduction by Lizabel Stella, Senior Digital Content Manager, Blanton Museum of Art

On March 29, 2025, the Blanton Museum of Art at the University of Texas in Austin celebrates its 20th gala. This energizing evening event is known for bringing together patrons from across the country with a shared commitment of supporting the arts and our non-profit organization.

Past galas have directly supported the construction of Austin, the world-renowned architectural legacy by Ellsworth Kelly, as well as the New Grounds Initiative led by director Simone Wicha and acclaimed international design firm Snøhetta, firmly pinning the Blanton’s place on the map. The goal in 2025 is to raise over $1.5 million but what exactly is this crucial funding for? Supporting essential conservation for our world-class art collection, and maintaining the exciting exhibition and innovative public and educational program schedule. Containing over 21,000 works in a variety of mediums, we are the chief collecting art museum in Central Texas and there is a significant cost to preserving each work of art—and it doesn’t end with the acquisition. Cassandra Smith, Director of Exhibitions and Collections at the Blanton, explains:

“When a work of art enters our collection, there are so many steps to the process that help prolong its lifespan for future generations. It can take 6–12 months to fully accession an artwork, which is basically a formal way to describe the legal process when we commit to caring for this work of art in perpetuity. It’s a group effort for each piece—from entry to accession—and fundraising is an essential step in maintaining these inspirational works.”

The 2025 Gala Committee are no strangers to the process themselves, having made significant contributions over the years, championing the impact of art and the connection with our community, on the Forty Acres and beyond. In the lead-up to the big day, we invited committee representatives to share their unique perspectives as philanthropic supporters on what inspired them to become Board Members and why they continue to support the Blanton.

Kelli Blanton discusses the radiant light inside Austin by Ellsworth Kelly with Gallery Assistant, Rae Cynclaire.

Kelli Blanton
Blanton Board Member since 2023

My husband Eddy and I have supported the museum since the ribbon cutting over 20 years ago but recently rejoined the board in 2023. We wanted a meaningful way to reconnect to what’s happening at the Blanton and support this amazing resource for the university.

It is so difficult to choose just one thing to highlight at the museum, but Ellsworth Kelly’s Austin has been particularly inspiring to me. Its opening was a moment that helped to solidify the Blanton’s position as not only a top-notch college art museum, but as a world-class institution. We are uniquely positioned to strengthen the ties between the city and university as a forward-facing place of engagement, an accessible place for Austinites and Longhorns alike.

As a parent to a Longhorn student, I am impressed with the work that is being done by the Education department around Social and Emotional Learning and supporting the student experiences. My passion around student mental health and wellness helps me to understand the benefits of having an art museum available to UT and the Austin community. It is important to continue to support these initiatives, as well as the mission of the Blanton to provide a space that allows for discovery and growth.

Two women looking closely at prints in a print study room at the Blanton Museum of Art
Board Chair Aubrey Epstein takes a closer look at artworks in our H-E-B Study Room with Assistant Curator of Prints & Drawings, Sarah Bane.

Aubrey Epstein
Blanton Board Member since 2022

I’ve been on the Blanton Museum’s board for two years and on the gala committee for three years. This spring’s gala will be my second, and I’ve served as board chair since August. I joined because I wanted to support the visual arts in Austin meaningfully, and I was blown away by the momentum the museum has built.

Think about it—Ellsworth Kelly’s Austin, the Snøhetta-designed Moody Patio, the Carmen Herrera mural, Gabriel Dawe’s Plexus No. 44  installation, and Kay Rosen’s HI mural all connect the museum to its surroundings in such a vibrant, interactive way. These projects invite the community in, and it’s working! Azure Magazine even named the Blanton one of 2024’s “Top 10 Inspiring and Inclusive Civic Spaces.” That’s something we can all be proud of.

The Blanton is Austin’s only collecting museum, and it’s a great example of what happens when collectors’ visions and museum strategies come together. Take Helio Oiticica’s Seco 16 (1956), a stunning gouache and ink on cardboard gift by the Tates in 2016. It’s a remarkable piece of concrete abstraction and a reflection of the museum’s longstanding commitment to highlighting Latin American artists well before the market caught on.

This alignment between collectors and the museum has helped build one of the country’s most significant Latin American collections. It is inspiring to see how these collaborations preserve cultural history while driving broader appreciation for these artists. Just recently, at Art Basel, I saw a Helio Oiticica piece at Lisson Gallery that reminded me of our incredible work at the Blanton—proof of how impactful this shared vision can be.

For me, it’s simple: art inspires. It sparks fresh ideas and helps us solve problems in unexpected ways. Providing access to world-class works gives our community a platform for creativity and innovation. Knowing that the Blanton is shaping Austin’s cultural landscape and how people engage with and reflect on the world around them motivates me.

Board Member Caroline Haley interacts with 2024 exhibition SKY DANCES LIGHT by Marie Watt, alongside Museum Educator, Siobhán McCusker.

Caroline Haley
Blanton Board Member since 2018

My husband Brian and I were inspired to join and support the arts and our local cultural institutions because of the amazing leadership of Simone Wicha. It’s been a pleasure to watch the Blanton grow its collection, community programs, and cultural leadership in Austin over the years.

Art museums have always been an early refuge from the “noise” of the outside world for me. Growing up, my parents would take us to the Dallas Museum of Art after church on Sundays and visiting museums was a big part of our family travel. My family feels the same fondness for the Blanton as a refuge and place of inspiration in Austin. We love the rotating exhibitions as well as the familiar, dependable pleasure of the Ellsworth Kelly Austin, grounds, and permanent collection.

We believe in the arts as an opportunity to promote well-being, offer careers, and build community. The Blanton’s work in Austin is transformative, not only to the arts scene, but our city. We are so grateful to be a part of the team.

Stacy Hock discusses the artwork “Seepage” by El Anatsui with Hannah Klemm, Curator of Modern and Contemporary Art at the Blanton.

Stacy Hock
Blanton Board Member since 2016

I’m incredibly proud of the Blanton. In the many years I’ve served as a Board Member, I was especially excited to learn that Ellsworth Kelly’s Austin was to become part of its collection. I find I am drawn to modern and contemporary art, of which many works form part of the newer public art installations. The recent renovations of the Blanton grounds and new installations are all spectacular! It is now a destination both inside and out. Art can tell a story, evoke an emotion, and make a statement. It can also connects us across time, geography, and culture. Each visit to the Blanton is a unique experience for me. It is an honor to support our city’s art museum.

Suzanne McFayden pauses under the kaleidoscopic Plexus No. 44 by Gabriel Dawe, alongside Danai Munyaradzi from our Visitor Services team.

Suzanne McFayden
Blanton Board Member since 2016

I’m excited by our Contemporary Project gallery and thrilled to continue funding its thought-provoking exhibition schedule. Art reflects what’s happening in our society so I’m always intrigued by how that conversation shows up in this particular space.

Art brings different areas of a community together. Community across demographics is a wonderful thing. That’s what’s happening at the Blanton and why I support the museum.

Elle Moody gets a dioramic tour of a gallery rotation with Matthew Langland, Head of Installation and Exhibition Design at the Blanton.

Elle Moody
Blanton Board Member since 2016

My decision to serve on the board is deeply influenced by my personal and professional journey in the arts. My first ever internship was at the Blanton, and it was a formative experience. I saw firsthand how a museum can serve as not only a place for learning, but also as a vital space for gathering and connecting with the community. That experience really solidified my belief in the power of the arts to bring people together and foster meaningful dialogue.

After a decade working in the arts in New York City, I returned to Austin with the desire to bring back what I’d learned to my hometown. I see the arts as a crucial component of any thriving city, and I’m passionate about making art accessible to all — whether through exhibitions, community programs, or arts education in schools. As Austin continues to grow, I aim to help guide the organization toward initiatives that engage and inspire the community, making art an integral part of life for everyone in Austin.

One of the initiatives that really stands out to me at the Blanton is how they reframe art historical movements for contemporary audiences. For instance, the ‘Long Live Surrealism! 1924–Today exhibition’ is a perfect example of how the Blanton not only engages with a major art movement but also highlights its ongoing relevance. By tracing Surrealism’s influence from its early roots to its contemporary manifestations, the Blanton allows visitors to see how artists today are still engaging with, reacting to, and reshaping Surrealist ideas in new and innovative ways. I think this is so important because it invites viewers to consider art history as a living, evolving conversation rather than a static set of movements from the past.

I also really admire how the Blanton balances its encyclopedic collection with its focus on living artists. The exhibition Between Me & You by Tavares Strachan is a great example of how the museum continues to champion contemporary voices and bring fresh, thought-provoking work to its audiences. Strachan’s exploration of topics like history, memory, and identity is incredibly timely and speaks to larger cultural conversations that resonate with many people today. It’s exciting to see that the Blanton not only preserves and showcases historical works but also provides a platform for artists who are shaping the future of art.

Beyond exhibitions, I also appreciate how the Blanton works to make art accessible to everyone in the community. Their Free Tuesdays program is an excellent initiative, as it breaks down the financial barrier to visiting the museum and ensures that art is available to people from all walks of life. Programs like this, combined with their educational outreach and events, help to make the museum a welcoming space for all visitors, whether they are lifelong art enthusiasts or newcomers.

Austin is on the global stage more than ever before, and as a vibrant, diverse city, we need an art museum that not only exemplifies our cultural richness but also enhances our reputation as a hub for creativity, innovation, and inclusivity. The Blanton Museum plays a critical role in achieving this, both by preserving world-class works of art and by providing a dynamic platform for dialogue and engagement.

For me, it’s important that the Blanton not only sustains its incredible collection but continues to push the boundaries of what it means to be a public institution in a rapidly growing city. What motivates me to continue supporting the Blanton is the opportunity to be part of this important work—ensuring that the museum serves as a space for everyone, whether they are experiencing art for the first time or are seasoned art lovers. We want to make sure the museum is not just a treasure for our city but also a destination for visitors from around the world, contributing to Austin’s growing reputation as a cultural leader.

Interested in attending the 2025 Gala or finding a way to support the Blanton?

Contact Dawn Hewitt, Director of Development, to learn about gala table packages and sponsorship opportunities:
(512) 351-2644 or dawn.hewitt@blantonmuseum.org


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