At Its Annual Gala, RxART Toasts a Milestone 25 Years

The star-studded evening celebrated the artists and collaborators who have helped the nonprofit enliven children’s hospital settings with world-class art

February 7, 2025

On the evening of February 5, a lively group of artists, philanthropists, and other members of New York City’s cultural cognoscenti descended on The Grill at the Seagram Building to celebrate the 25th anniversary of RxART. The star-studded evening directly benefited RxART and celebrated the collaborators, artists, and partners who have helped the organization transform children’s hospital settings with world-class art throughout the country.

Guests arrived at The Grill to a live band and champagne tower before perusing a pop-up shop featuring a limited edition 25th anniversary print by Ed Ruscha as well as RxART coloring books and Band-Aids designed by Dan Colen, Walead Beshty, Marcel Dzama, and more.

Barry Coller, Diane Brown, Bobbi Coller. Photo: Billy Farrell/BFA.com

The artist Derrick Adams offered opening remarks as guests sat down for dinner at The Pool. Gala co-chairs Glori Cohen and Cynthia Zabel then presented RxART founder Diane Browne with a New York City Proclamation declaring February 5, 2025 as RxART Day in recognition of its “incredible contributions to transforming healthcare environments through contemporary art and uplifting patients and medical staff with creativity, color, and inspiration.”

After, artist Rob Pruitt presented Brown with the RxART Legacy Award. “We ask the most exciting artists in the world to work with us, crossing our fingers and holding our breath every time,” Brown said. “I’m so endlessly grateful for the willingness of these artists to say yes when we call.” She then presented fellow honorees Drs. Barry and Bobbi Coller with the RxART Inspiration Award. “Without [their] support, RxART would not have gotten off the ground,” she continued. “As our 25th anniversary approached, I couldn’t think of anyone more deserving.”

Shara Hughes, Timothy Greenfield-Sanders, Ryan McGinness, Sam Falls; Second: Marcel Dzama, Mary Temple, Michele Oka Doner, Diane Brown, Ryan McGinley, avaf (Eli Sudbrack), Mickalene Thomas, Jeff Koons, Hayal Pozanti; Third: Ewa Juszkiewicz, Nicolas Party, Trenton Doyle Hancock, Julia Chiang, Derrick Adams, Laura Owens, Will Cotton; Back: Jason Middlebrook, Ann Craven, Will Boone, Tomokazu Matsuyama, John Monti, Daniel Heidkamp Photo: Billy Farrell/BFA.com

RxART has been enlivening stark medical spaces since 2000, when Brown, a former gallerist, envisioned paintings covering the blank walls of her doctor’s office to calm her nerves while getting a CAT scan. In the 25 years since, the nonprofit organization has transformed more than 40 hospitals across 27 cities with site-specific art by Nicolas Party, Takashi Murakami, Ann Craven, Jonas Wood, José Parla, Nina Chanel Abney, and more.

After dinner, guests returned to The Grill for dessert, champagne, and a night of dancing to a DJ set by Angel + Dren. Among the high-profile attendees were Michele Oka Doner, Trenton Doyle Hancock, Ewa Juszkiewicz, Jeff Koons, Ryan McGinley, Hayal Pozanti, Agnes Gund, Will Boone, Mickalene Thomas, John Monti, Neil Blumenthal, and more.

Below, see more images from the star-studded event.