Party On: The Hammer Museum Honors Jordan Peele and Judy Chicago

The Los Angeles institution treated arts and entertainment luminaries to another gorgeous Gala in the Garden

Words by MARIE LOOK

Cultural and civic leaders, patrons of the arts and notable entertainers convened at Hammer Museum in the Westwood neighborhood of Los Angeles on Saturday, Oct. 12, for the institution’s 17th annual Gala in the Garden to support future exhibitions and public programs.

Upon arriving, the more than 500 guests — including the event’s honorees, artist Judy Chicago and comedian Jordan Peele, who attended with his wife, actor Chelsea Peretti — made their way to the museum’s third-floor terrace, where such notables as Jane Lynch, Catherine O’Hara, Joel McHale and others mingled and admired the Hammer’s retrospective of artist Lari Pittman, who was also in attendance.

Following cocktail hour and passed hors d’oeuvres, Hammer Museum director Ann Philbin and event co-chairs J.J. Abrams and Katie McGrath, and Tom Ford and Richard Buckley invited everyone to funnel into the museum’s courtyard, where Lucques chef Suzanne Goin (who has created the gala’s menu for all 17 years) treated everyone to a seated dinner of Scottish salmon.

As artists Charles Gaines, Lauren Halsey, Kahlil Joseph, Julie Mehretu and Shirin Neshat looked on, author Roxane Gay introduced Peele, noting his exceptional achievements, before the comedian and Get Out director expressed his heartfelt gratitude to the crowd. He was followed by activist Gloria Steinem, who gave remarks on Chicago and her enormous impact on the art world; Chicago graciously said she shared the honor with her early supporters and patrons.

To close out the evening, Tom Ford introduced recording artist Beck, who performed a five-song set of his hits, with Coldplay’s Chris Martin even making a surprise guest appearance. Thanks to the participation of so many generous patrons, the night raised a record-breaking $2.7 million to support the Hammer Museum’s initiatives.