A Milestone Anniversary
The Museum of Arts and Design (MAD) celebrated its 70th anniversary in grand style at its annual gala. To honor the occasion, Manhattan Borough President Brad Hoylman-Sigal, joined by NYC Council Member Gale Brewer, issued a proclamation declaring October 26, 2026, Museum of Arts and Design Appreciation Day.
“MAD has evolved into a leading organization dedicated to exploring the intersection of art, craft, and design,” Hoylman-Sigal said. “Through its exhibitions, educational programs, public enhancement, and commitment to emerging and established artists, MAD fosters artistic discovery, expands access to the arts, and strengthens New York City’s standing as a global center for creativity and cultural innovation. Arts and culture are the heart of New York City, which is why I have committed the entirety of my capital budget, $50 million, exclusively to arts and cultural institutions.”
Expect the Unexpected
Tim Rodgers, MAD’s Nanette L. Laitman Director, reflected on seven decades of creative exploration. “For 70 years, we’ve been celebrating the extraordinary things that happen when creativity, craftsmanship, and imagination come together,” he said. “At MAD, you should expect the unexpected. We’re compelled to think outside the box and to explore the new and the unusual.”
Honoring the Founder
MAD Board Chair Michele Cohen paid tribute to the woman behind the museum’s founding. “As we celebrate 70 years, I keep coming back to the remarkable woman who started it all, Aileen Osborn Webb,” Cohen said. “She believed that creativity enriches our lives and that everyone should have the opportunity to make something with their own hands.”
An Evening of Exclusive Access
Guests enjoyed exclusive access to all of the museum’s exhibitions, including a preview of John Procario: Freeforms: Sculptural Explorations in Wood and Light. The artist’s first solo museum exhibition features bentwood sculptures that incorporate LED lighting, creating a striking interplay between natural material and illumination.
Attendees were also given a private look at the newly opened Nike: Form Follows Motion, which showcases designs and prototypes from the brand’s archives. Guests were treated to a surprise improvisational dance performance by the Renegade Performance Group, bringing the theme of motion vividly to life.
Hands-On Experiences
The gala offered a variety of interactive installations. At Jessica Lichtenstein: ReWilding, guests created personalized keepsakes in collaboration with xTool. Alice Riehl’s monumental porcelain installation, Herbarium Interior, was paired with an olfactory experience created by perfumer Alexandra Monet, engaging visitors through scent as well as sight.
Artists in residence Karen Lao and Esther Jihye Cho opened their studios, offering intimate glimpses into their creative processes. Meanwhile, in the Education Center, guests crafted wearable floral arrangements to take home.
Late-Night Festivities
The celebration continued well into the night with a magic performance by Dan White, followed by an after-party featuring music by DJ Erol Sabadosh.
Artists, Board Members, and Patrons
MAD’s featured artists, Jessica Lichtenstein, John Procario, and Alice Riehl, welcomed guests throughout the evening. They were joined by Board Members Susan Ach, Charles Burdick, Marian C. Burke, Kathy Chazen, Mike De Paola, Adam Johnson, Jeffrey Manocherian, Luam Melake, and Barbara Waldman, as well as Chair Emerita Barbara Tober and MAD Curators Elissa Auther and Bryna Pomp.
Among the many patrons in attendance were Jayden Ali, Marty Cohen, Carolina Blackman, West Chin, Liz Collins, Lee Fryd, Dakota Jackson, Todd Merrill, Marsy Mittleman, Polina Proshkina, and Karim Rashid.
Upcoming Programs and Exhibitions
MAD’s upcoming programming includes the Spooktacular MAD Halloween Party! on October 30, Darn It! Mending and Repair at MAD on November 4, and Design Happy Hour: Associative Beading with Renée Riccardo on November 19.
Nike: Form Follows Motion remains on view through March 7, 2027. John Procario: Freeforms and Alice Riehl’s Porcelain Florilegium run through April 4, 2027, and Jessica Lichtenstein: ReWilding is on view through April 18, 2027. For tickets, visit https://madmuseum.org/.
About the Museum of Arts and Design
The Museum of Arts and Design champions contemporary makers across creative fields and presents the work of artists, designers, and artisans who apply the highest level of ingenuity and skill. Since its founding in 1956 by philanthropist and visionary Aileen Osborn Webb, MAD has celebrated all facets of making and the creative processes by which materials are transformed, from traditional techniques to cutting-edge technologies.
Today, the museum’s curatorial program builds on a rich history of exhibitions that emphasize a cross-disciplinary approach to art and design, revealing the workmanship behind the objects and environments that shape everyday life. MAD provides an international platform for practitioners who are influencing the direction of cultural production and driving twenty-first-century innovation. It also fosters a participatory setting where visitors can have direct encounters with skilled making and compelling works of art and design. For more information, visit www.madmuseum.org.
