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The Art Students League of New York Commemorates 150th Anniversary

With Broadway performances, a Veterans Day salute, and an award honoring the Robert Rauschenberg Foundation, the gala rallied support for student aid and citywide arts outreach

By Gogo Taubman
People dining at an elegant event in a dimly lit venue with chandeliers and blue lighting.
Guests fill the Rainbow Room for a lively meal. Photo: Danté Crichlow

The Art Students League of New York celebrated its 150th anniversary on November 11, with a jubilant takeover of the Rainbow Room at Rockefeller Center. Hosted by Broadway favorite Ben Cameron, alongside artistic and executive director Michael Hall and gala co-chairs Erica and Jack Howard-Potter, and Mazuba Kapambwe-Mizzi and Joseph Mizzi, the event gathered artists, alumni, patrons, and civic leaders to toast to the League’s legacy as one of the city’s most enduring cultural institutions.

Artist painting on canvas at an event, with people socializing and lights in the background.
Diego Mora. Photo: Danté Crichlow
Group of three people having a conversation around a table with a gold sculpture and drinks in an indoor setting.
Ronald Frank, Efrosiniay Bondareva, Robin Frank. Photo: Danté Crichlow

Festivities opened with a lively cocktail hour, featuring a silent auction and live activations by League artists Efrosiniay Bondareva, Randy Richard Morales, Diego Mora, and Maggie O’Keefe before guests settled in for dinner.

Man speaking at a podium during an anniversary celebration event with decorative floral arrangements and a backdrop displaying 150 years
Ben Cameron delivering opening remarks. Photo: Danté Crichlow
Table centerpiece featuring a vintage ceramic vase with pink and red roses, accompanied by a small decorative figure and place cards.
Floral tribute to League Alumnus Max Fleischer. Photo: Danté Crichlow

At tables trimmed with floral saluting storied alumni—including Roy Lichtenstein, Ai Weiwei, Georgia O’Keeffe, Alexander Calder, and Jackson Pollock—dinner began with a showstopping performance by Broadway’s Krysta Rodriguez. A short film then honored the many veterans who have studied and taught at the League, a timely Veterans Day salute.

Fittingly, the spotlight then landed on League alumnus and U.S. Naval veteran Robert Rauschenberg, whose centennial dovetails with the League’s own milestone. Presenting an honorary award to Francine Snyder on behalf of the Rauschenberg Foundation, Hall credited the artist’s audacity with shaping generations of students. “He opened our minds, challenged our understanding of what art could be,” said Hall, adding the artist’s own charge for the League, recorded through a 1999 note: “The important thing is to keep those doors open.”

Man receiving an award from a woman at an event stage with a backdrop of text in the background.
Michael Hall, Francine Snyder. Photo: Danté Crichlow
Woman speaking at a podium during the 150th Anniversary Gala of the Art Students League, wearing a white blazer.
Mariana Oushiro. Photo: Danté Crichlow

League alumna Mariana Oushiro then spoke poignantly about what that open door meant in practice. “During my time as a student here, a scholarship provided six months of tuition-free study… This support allowed me to dedicate all my time and energy to my artistic practice, a privilege,” she noted, urging guests to “contribute to the culture of our time.”  

Person holding up a bidding paddle with number 154 at an auction event with a large crowd seated around tables.
Auction paddles raised in support of bolstering tuition subsidies, scholarships, and the League’s community programs. Photo: Danté Crichlow
Woman speaking into microphone at a formal event with seated audience in a dimly lit venue.
Jacqueline Towers-Perkins. Photo: Danté Crichlow

A brisk paddle raise, led by auctioneer Jacqueline Towers-Perkins, maintained that momentum, efficiently rallying support to keep classes accessible citywide. Composer Andre Catrini closed the evening with a musical finale, then prompted guests to savor dessert and place their final silent bids as they took in the Manhattan skyline before farewells.

The night was a vivid testament to the League’s ongoing mission: to open doors, fill studios, and nurture the creative spirit of New York for the next 150 years and beyond. Scroll below for more highlights from the evening.

Group of people smiling and posing around a dinner table with flowers and wine glasses at an event.
Ksenia Nouril and others enjoying their night. Photo: Danté Crichlow
A woman in a red dress sings on stage with a pianist in the background and red flowers on the side.
Broadway star Krysta Rodriguez delivering the opening performance. Photo: Danté Crichlow
Colorful floral arrangement with a decorative pillar and statue backdrop at a celebratory event.
Floral arrangements were central decor to the night. Photo: Danté Crichlow
Man in a suit talking animatedly at a formal dinner event with people seated at tables in the background.
David Rothschild. Photo: Danté Crichlow
Artist smiling and seated in front of abstract paintings on easels in a studio setting
Randy Richard Morales. Photo: Danté Crichlow
A well-dressed woman in a white gown and a man in a tuxedo at a formal event with a blue themed background.
Megan Gabrielle Harris, Frederico Bertani. Photo: DANTÉ CRICHLOW
A man in a suit and a woman in a red coat stand in front of a 150th anniversary celebration backdrop.
JJ Loonam, Sharon Sprung. Photo: Miguel McSongwe
Guests in formal attire seated around a table with elegant place settings and floral centerpiece at a formal event.
A floral homage to Cy Twombly adorned this table. Photo: Miguel McSongwe
Group of people seated at a formal dinner event, talking and holding drinks, with a table number 24 visible in the background
Annabel Keelty, Eliza Rubin, Caroline Friedman. Photo: Danté Crichlow
Portrait painting on an easel depicting a woman in profile with a dark background and a white top.
Live work by League artist. Photo: Danté Crichlow
Three men in formal wear taking a selfie at a social gathering, with one holding a drink.
John Kneapler, Stephen Weitzman, Ronald Frank. Photo: Danté Crichlow
Two men standing next to a table at an indoor event, with city lights visible in the background.
Jim Finnegan, David Marchi. Photo: Danté Crichlow
Woman in a black dress holding a wine glass, wearing glasses and a red necklace at an art event with other attendees.
Joyce Romanov. Photo: Danté Crichlow
Group of seven people at a 55-year celebration event, standing in front of a blue backdrop.
Jonathan Dorfman, Robert Dorfman, Te Palandjian, and others. Photo: Miguel McSongwe
Artist painting a portrait of a man on an easel during an indoor art session.
Maggie O’Keefe. Photo: Danté Crichlow
Person smiling while holding an award at a podium during an anniversary celebration event.
Francine Snyder accepting the award on behalf of the Robert Rauschenberg foundation. Photo: Danté Crichlow
Four people in formal attire standing together at an indoor event, each holding a glass.
Ronnie Landfield, Jenny Landfield, and others. Photo: Danté Crichlow
Two men in formal attire at an indoor event, standing with people and tables in the background.
Michael Hall, Tavares Strachan. Photo: Danté Crichlow
A person holding a sign at a formal event with blurred guests in the background, creating a lively and vibrant atmosphere.
Aution paddle held high. Photo: Danté Crichlow