The Museum of Arts and Design’s annual MAD Ball brought together New York’s most vibrant creative minds in a night that celebrated imagination, craftsmanship, and community. This year’s honoree, celebrated designer and potter Jonathan Adler, was recognized for his enduring influence on modern design and his joyful, irreverent approach to craft.
The gala, held at the museum’s home at 2 Columbus Circle, was hosted by the inimitable Simon Doonan, the legendary former creative director of Barneys New York. Known for his quick wit and impeccable timing, Doonan set a lively tone for the evening. “Jonathan rollerbladed into my life in a cloud of clay dust,” he recalled with humor. “He wasn’t just making pots; he was about to change the face of pottery, making it cool and stylish. Beneath all the glamour was a real dialogue with the history of twentieth-century craft.”
Adler, equally beloved for his humor and humility, reflected on his journey with MAD and the role the museum played in his early career. “When I was 28, I had failed at working and realized I had no choice but to be a potter,” he shared. “The first place I approached with my pots was the MAD gift shop. They took a chance on an unknown potter, and it changed everything. Years later, when I was feeling burnt out, MAD once again came to the rescue. I’m endlessly grateful to this museum and to all the craftspeople who’ve made my mad, mad world possible.”
A Visionary Honored
Michele Cohen, Chair of MAD’s Board, presented Adler with the museum’s Visionary Award, designed by jeweler Laura Fortune. The sculptural piece, inspired by Adler’s love of humor and exuberance, took the form of “a gleaming sink filled to the brim with imagination, humor, and joy.” Cohen noted, “Jonathan once said that to do what he does, one must have a bubbling sense of possibilities. This award captures exactly that.”
Tim Rodgers, MAD’s Nanette L. Laitman Director, underscored the evening’s deeper message about the power of creativity. “Your presence here tonight affirms the importance of museums at this particular moment,” he said. “When artists and museums are under attack, it’s because we stand for creative freedom, and that means we have power.”
A Night of Art, Music, and Celebration
The evening unfolded as a multi-sensory experience. Guests enjoyed cocktails with live jazz and open access to artist studios and exhibitions before heading upstairs for dinner at Robert, the museum’s glass-walled restaurant overlooking Columbus Circle. Dinner, sponsored by Chair Emerita Barbara Tober, featured whimsical centerpieces designed by Adler himself.
Adding to the evening’s enchantment, Broadway baritone Nat Chandler (of The Phantom of the Opera and The Scarlet Pimpernel) surprised guests with a stirring performance before festivities continued at The Masquerade, an afterparty where guests donned masks they had crafted earlier in the night.
True to form, Doonan kept the laughter flowing. At one point, he quipped, “Before we get going, a little personal request, please masticate very carefully and very slowly, because I’m much too short to give anyone the Heimlich maneuver.”
The Guests and the Gala Spirit
The star-studded guest list included board members Susan and Larry Ach, Glenn Adamson, Marian and Russell Burke, Mike De Paola, Jeffrey Manocherian, Luam Melake, Cheryl R. Riley, Klara Silverstein, and Barbara Waldman. Among the notable attendees were Amy Adler, Louise Chazen Banon, Janna Bullock, Kathy Chazen, Liz Collins, Rachelle Dang, Machine Dazzle, LaVon Kellner, Jonathan Lucas, Debi Mazar, Nicole Miller, Jamel Robinson, Kim Taipale, and Saya Woolfalk, a who’s who of art, fashion, and design.
Continuing the Conversation
Adler’s exhibition, The Mad MAD World of Jonathan Adler, remains on view at MAD through April 19, 2025. The show highlights the designer’s singular ability to blend craftsmanship, humor, and modernity into a style entirely his own.
He will also take part in two upcoming events:
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On the Couch with Jonathan Adler and Rachel Federman – December 11, 2025
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On the Couch with Jonathan Adler, Elissa Auther, and Sarah Archer – February 12, 2025
About the Museum of Arts and Design
The Museum of Arts and Design (MAD) celebrates the intersection of art, craft, and design, supporting contemporary makers through exhibitions, residencies, and educational programs. Its mission to champion creative freedom and material innovation continues to position MAD as a cornerstone of New York’s cultural landscape.
For more information, visit madmuseum.org.
