Celebrate Jewels of the Ocean, the gala celebrating the opening of the dazzling exhibition Fragile Beauty: Art of the Ocean.

Join Executive Director Kate Markert and Co-Chairs Michela Gorham, Nicole Knox, Elizabeth Odom, and Mark Lowham for a black-tie gala, Jewels of the Ocean, on Tuesday, June 4, 2024, in support of Hillwood's mission to share the cultural treasure that Marjorie Merriweather Post left for the public's enjoyment. 

Begin the evening with cocktails and be the first to tour the special exhibition Fragile Beauty: Art of the Ocean at 6:30 p.m. At 8 p.m., enjoy a starlit dinner on the magnificent Lunar Lawn. 

Your support is vital to Hillwood's continuing work to educate and inspire the public through the legacy of Marjorie Merriweather Post's collections and gardens. Gifts will support the development of innovative new programming, educational opportunities, and special exhibitions.

Dress code is black tie. 

Thank you, Jewels of the Ocean Sponsors!

Add your name to this esteemed list of gala sponsors.

Neptune

Ellen MacNeille Charles • The Gorham Family Charitable Fund • Brig. Gen. and Mrs. Mark Odom

Venus

Bill and Donna Roberts • Mr. and Mrs. Ronald N. Slimp II • TTR Sotheby's International Realty

Mermaid

Cartier • Yvonne B. Craver • Kathryn and Peter Hicks • Nicole and Jeff Knox

Dolphin

The Gorham Family • Joshua Hildreth and Richard Robinson • Renata and Spence Patterson • Ms. Nedenia Rumbough and Mr. Jan Roosenburg • Skip Sroka and John Kammeier

Seahorse

Aon Huntington Block Insurance • Kelly and Josh Bonnie • Gloria Hidalgo • Kathie Legg and Rajib Chanda • Richard E. and Nancy P. Marriott • Genevieve L. Murphy • Beth Newburger • Barbara and Charles Rossotti • Stanley and Leah Rumbough •

Coral Reef

Nathan and Connie Briggs • DOYLE, Auctioneers & Appraisers • Elizabeth L. Elser • Mr. and Mrs. Kenneth and Nina Gradia • Patrick and Sheila Gross • Walter and Judith Jones • Alison Cady Martin • Amy and Marc Meadows • Kathy and Les Megyeri • Peter and Dyson Stockman • George and Patti White • The Whiting-Turner Contracting Company

Shell

Janice H. Brambilla • Lauren and Drew Cummings • Michele Hartlove and Dan Sherman • Melissa McGee Keshishian • Donna Limerick • Lucy S. Rhame • Maggie and Tom Sheedy • Sheila Stabile • Annie Simonian Totah • Shelley Wasserman • Nan Shaver Whalen

Sponsorship Opportunities:

Neptune | $25,000 ($22,500 tax deductible)

• One table of ten at the gala with preferred location
• Opportunity to host an event for up to fifty guests at Hillwood with the Executive Director or Chief Curator
• Opportunity for a private curator-led tour for up to twenty 
• Logo placement on the invitation and website, as well as on the list of sponsors at the gala
• Recognition in the press release
• Recognition on Hillwood's Donor Wall
• Recognition of sponsorship in remarks made at the gala

Venus | $20,000 ($17,500 tax deductible)

• One table of ten at the gala with preferred location
• Opportunity for a private curator-led tour for up to twenty 
• Recognition on the invitation and website, as well as on the list of sponsors at the gala
• Recognition in the press release
• Recognition on Hillwood's Donor Wall
• Recognition of sponsorship in remarks made at the gala

Mermaid | $15,000 ($12,500 tax deductible)

• One table of ten at the gala with preferred location
• Opportunity for a private curator-led tour for up to fifteen 
• Recognition on the invitation and website, as well as on the list of sponsors at the gala
• Recognition in the press release
• Recognition on Hillwood's Donor Wall
• Recognition of sponsorship in remarks made at the gala

Dolphin | $10,000 ($8,000 tax deductible)

• Gala seating for eight
• Opportunity for a private curator-led tour for up to ten
• Recognition on the invitation and website, as well as on the list of sponsors at the gala
• Recognition on Hillwood's Donor Wall
• Recognition of sponsorship in remarks made at the gala

Seahorse | $5,000 ($4,000 tax deductible)

• Gala seating for four
• Opportunity for a private curator-led tour for up to eight 
• Recognition on the invitation and website, as well as on the list of sponsors at the gala
• Recognition on Hillwood's Donor Wall

Coral Reef | $3,000 ($2,500 tax deductible)

• Gala seating for two
• Recognition on the invitation and website, as well as on the list of sponsors at the gala
• Recognition on Hillwood's Donor Wall

Shell | $1,500 ($1,250 tax deductible)

• Gala seating for one
• Recognition on the invitation and website, as well as on the list of sponsors at the gala

Please Note: Sponsorships, which provide benefits to the donor, may not be paid for in full or part through a Donor Advised Fund (DAF) or foundation. Hillwood will only accept a grant from a DAF if the donor-advisor indicates the preference to waive all sponsorship benefits above those that are incidental, such as event tickets. In keeping with the rules of various DAFs, Hillwood cannot accept personal payments to cover the benefit portion associated with a sponsorship gift. 

Co-Chairs

Michela Gorham • Nicole Knox • Mark Lowham • Elizabeth Odom

Committee

Kelly Bonnie • Connie Briggs • Charlotte Clay Buxton • Christina Chang • Lauren Cummings • Elizabeth Elser • Elizabeth Emerson • Michele Hartlove • Kathryn Vige Hicks • Kathie Legg • Dace Martinez • Amy Meadows • Marsha Muawwad • Renata Patterson • Linda Sillin • Mary Slimp • Sheila Stabile

For additional information, please contact Amy Hill, Special Events Manager, at 202.243.3974 or ahill@hillwoodmuseum.org.