PHOTO: Inside the El Museo Del Barrio 2026 Gala

Karla Martinez de Salas welcomes J Balvin to the dais. Peter Zwolinski/BFA.com

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 Latin American art and culture, while raising more than $1 million in support of El Museo’s exhibitions, educational initiatives, bilingual public programs, and stewardship of its permanent collection.

The evening’s honorees reflected the breadth of El Museo’s reach. Global music icon J Balvin was recognized for his visionary support of contemporary art and his dedication to advancing 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 AND Agustín Coppel were honored alongside Balvin for the impact they have had on the canon of contemporary art. And curator and collector Brodsky’s Little Stara formidable force in the Latin American art world whose decades of advocacy have shaped institutions around the world, received the inaugural Tony Bechara Legacy Award. The evening also announced the winner of the Maestro Dobel Latinx Art Award 2026-2027: the artist Guadalupe Rosaleswhose personal exhibition will open at the museum next year.

Brodsky’s Little Star. Peter Zwolinski/BFA.com

“I do what I do out of love. Whether it’s my art practice or my archival work, both have always been rooted in the preservation of self and community, telling and believing that our stories deserve to be seen, held and remembered,” Rosales said in her acceptance speech. “This work comes from years of doubts and challenges, from people who don’t always see its importance, while at the same time, others like me felt seen, remembered and reflected in it. I haven’t always fit well in art institutions as an artist, or in archives and official histories as someone who is committed to preserving and telling these stories. It hasn’t been an easy road, but I’ve continued to walk well, but I’m grateful for it. what feels the most the important thing is to know that by not giving up, this work has helped create space for artists, archivists, storytellers and future generations.”

Given their ranks on the dais, the executive director of El Museo del Barrio Patrick Charpenel and board chairs Carla Harwich each spoke about the special importance of the institution. Charpenel noted that the museum has long served as “a platform 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 institution offers young people “a place where they can see themselves, their stories and their pride reflected in beauty.”

As the night progressed, guests sipped on tequila cocktails and Leo Gruber & Tren Latino delivered a musical performance that kept the energy levels high. Art historians stood out in the crowd Victoria Espinosaco-founder of kurimanzutto Joseph Kurimodel and entrepreneur Alida Boer and co-founder of CIMA Capital Alfonso Aldretewho mingled with curators Rocio Aranda-Alvarado, Deborah Cullen Morales, Susanna V. Temkin, Ines Katzenstein AND Heron Magnolia. The line-up of the artists present was included Pedro Reyes, Elia Alba, Elena Damiani, Yvette Mayorga AND Jorge Mendez Blake.

In particular, museum benefit auction 2026presented in collaboration with The Auction Collective, remains open until June 3, 2026, so even if you missed this year’s gala, you can raise a paddle in support of El Museo del Barrio’s mission.