On an April evening, more than 600 guests filled the Institute for Contemporary Art at VCU for an inaugural gala marking eight years since the ICA’s opening.
Art came alive blooming at the vibrant, immersive evening, which featured live entertainment, culinary delights and artist-designed experiences, as well as a first look at upcoming artistic projects. Guests also embraced their own creativity through floral- and botanical-inspired attire in keeping with the night’s “Avant-Garden” theme—a nod to the ICA’s flourishing and ambitious program.
“We have eight incredibly strong years behind us, and an exciting future of artist- and audience-driven growth underway,” says Jessica Bell Brown, executive director. “With our community’s steadfast support, we cannot wait to celebrate the future of the ICA and the creative ecosystem of Richmond.”
Carmenita Higginbotham, dean of the VCU School of the Arts, applauded ICA’s progress. “The ICA is flourishing. This gala is a testament to all of that momentum and to everyone who believes that contemporary art has the power to change how we see the world.”
The gala also celebrated four honorees for their outstanding contributions to contemporary art and civic engagement:
- Tony Cokes (M.F.A. ’86), a world-renowned artist whose “video essays” challenge the ideologies of popular culture and structural racism. By remixing found text, vibrant colors and propulsive soundtracks, Cokes creates immersive works that encourage viewers to “dance and think at the same time.” A 2024 MacArthur “Genius” Fellow and Rome Prize winner, Cokes is currently a Professor of Modern Culture and Media at Brown University and lives in Providence, Rhode Island.
- Diana Al-Hadid (M.F.A. ’05), a visionary artist known for ethereal, large-scale sculptures that seem to defy gravity. Born in Syria and raised in Ohio, she utilizes industrial materials like fiberglass and steel to explore the intersection of architecture, physics, and art history. Based in New York, Al-Hadid continues to receive international acclaim for her beautiful investigations into material and space.
- Pamela Kiecker Royall, Ph.D., a leader in higher education research and a cornerstone of Virginia’s philanthropic community. As Head of Research for EAB Enrollment Services, she has spent 21 years expanding college access for underserved students. Royall currently serves as the first woman chair of the Virginia Museum of History & Culture and sits on the boards of the VCU School of Business and the ICA. Along with her late husband, Bill Royall, she led the fundraising charge to make the ICA a reality.
- Jayme Swain, the president and CEO of Virginia Public Media (VPM) and the Virginia Foundation for Public Media. A veteran executive with experience at PBS, CNN and FOX Sports, she oversees a network of PBS and NPR stations serving nearly two million people. Under her leadership, VPM has expanded its newsroom, acquired Style Weekly and begun construction on a new Richmond headquarters. She also spearheads efforts to build civic engagement and foster connection among Virginians at VPM, Style Weekly and through the VPM + ICA Community Media Center.
Creative collaborations were woven into every facet of the event. The cocktail reception featured the Richmond-based bolero band Miramar, while TAKAAT and the DJ duo Love Club with Dean Giavos and Alex Delany amped up the after-party entertainment. For dinner, a bespoke menu was designed by Chef Leah Branch of the award-winning Richmond restaurant The Roosevelt, in collaboration with A Sharper Palate.
Guests also experienced installations by Richmond-based artists Christine Barringer and Peter Cochrane (M.F.A. ’19). A limited edition print from Al-Hadid was available for purchase, as well as a pair of earring studs by Loie Hollowell (M.F.A. ’12), offered in collaboration with Stauer and River City Tattoo & Piercing Co. Additional collaborations featured local vendors like Fat Rabbit, APOTHEC and FIELD design studio.
All proceeds from the gala, after-party and edition sales will support the ICA’s artistic program, allowing the institute to continue nourishing new ideas and supporting creative growth. As its largest single fundraising event, the gala is vital to supporting the ICA’s mission to listen, create and make art public by funding commissions and exhibitions on the cutting edge.
