El Museo del Barrio's annual benefit, held last week at the Mandarin Oriental New York, brought together artists, philanthropists, collectors and cultural and political leaders to celebrate Latin American and Latino art and culture while raising more than $1 million to support El Museo's exhibitions, educational programs, bilingual community programs and the management of its permanent collection.
The evening's honorees demonstrated the breadth of El Museo's reach. A world music icon J Balvin was recognized for his support of contemporary art and his commitment to promoting Latin American and Latino culture around the world—”I have always believed in bringing our music, art, and voice to the world with pride and responsibility,” he told the assembled crowd. Art collectors Isabel again Agustín Coppel were honored along with Balvin for the impact they had on the art scene of the time. Also a curator and a collector Estrellita BrodskyA formidable force in the Latin American art world whose decades of inspiration have established institutions around the world, they received the first Tony Bechara Legacy Award. The evening also announced the recipient of the Maestro Dobel Latinx Art Prize for 2026-2027: artist Guadalupe Rosaleshis solo exhibition will open at the museum next year.
“I do what I do with love. Whether it's my art practice or my history-keeping work, both have always been rooted in my commitment to the community, storytelling, and the belief that our histories deserve to be seen, held, and remembered,” said Rosales in his acceptance speech. “This work comes from many years of doubts and challenges, because people who do not always see its importance, at the same time, others like me feel seen, remembered and shown in it. I did not always fit in well in art institutions as an artist, or in archives and official history as a person who is committed to keeping and telling these stories. It was not an easy way, but I continued. knowing that without stopping, this work has helped to open a place for future artists, historians, storytellers and future generations.”
Given their chance on stage, the executive director of El Museo del Barrio Patrick Charpenel and a board chair Karla Harwich each spoke about the importance of institutional unity. Charpenel pointed out that the museum has long served as “a forum for the voices that have shaped—and continue to shape—the cultural fabric of this country,” while Harwich noted that in a city where more than 40 percent of public school students identify as Hispanic or Latino, the center offers young people “a place to look at themselves, their histories and their communities with beauty and pride.”
As the night progressed, guests sipped tequila cocktails and Leo Gruber & Tren Latino provided a musical performance that kept the energy levels high. What was seen in the crowd was an art historian Victoria Espinosakurimanzutto cofounder José Kurimodel and entrepreneur Alida Boer and founder of CIMA Capital Alfonso Aldretewho were associated with the guards Rocío Aranda-Alvarado, Deborah Cullen Morales, Susanna V. Temkin, Ines Katzenstein again Magnolia de la Garza. A list of artists who attended is included Pedro Reyes, Elia Alba, Elena Damiani, Yvette Mayorga again Jorge Méndez Blake.
Notably, the museum's 2026 benefit auction, presented in partnership with The Auction Collective, remains open until June 3, 2026, so even if you missed this year's gala, you can still raise a paddle to support El Museo del Barrio's cause.
J Balvin
Arlene Davila, Candida Alvarez, Karen Vidangos and Elia Alba
Augustine Coppel and Isabel Gómez de Coppel
Sophia Zayas
Willy Chavarria and Claudia Edelman
Valentina Ferrer
Jesus Navarro
Thomas Vecchione and Elizabeth Belfer
Richard Blanco
Clifford Prince King and Carlos Martiel
Valentina Ferrer, Karla Harwich and Patrick Charpenel
Pedro Reyes
Ines Katzenstein and José Kuri
Larisa Martinez
Matt Bregman and Sulie Arias
Elsa Collins and Karla Martinez de Salas
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