Memorial Art Gallery to Honor Hugo McCloud, Abby and Doug Bennett and the Sands Family Foundation, and M&T Bank at Annual Gala on May 9, 2026
Rochester, NY, February 5, 2026—The Memorial Art Gallery (MAG) is pleased to announce that acclaimed will be honored at the MAG Gala 2026: Flourish For All, Forever.
The premier evening of philanthropy propelling the arts in Rochester will take place on Saturday, May 9, 2026, from 6:00–9:00 pm. Hosted by Gala Chairs Kitty and Nick Jospé, the event celebrates and energizes the transformative power of art. Sponsorships are available now and individual tickets will go on sale in April, with proceeds supporting expanded access to education, exhibitions, and programming that benefit the Rochester community and beyond.
Guests will enjoy cocktails and exclusive gallery access beginning at 6:00 pm, followed by a welcome, entertainment, and art-inspired dinner at 7:45 pm. The evening concludes with awards and remarks at 8:30 pm, affirming our shared commitment to making a positive impact through the arts.
Click here to learn more about the event.
About the Honorees
Outstanding Artist: Hugo McCloud – Born in Palo Alto, California, in 1980, Hugo McCloud is a self-taught artist with a background in industrial design whose work explores labor, environmental impact, and beauty in everyday materials such as roofing supplies, solder, and single-use pla
stic bags. His work has been exhibited at institutions including the Brooklyn Museum and The Studio Museum in Harlem and is held in major collections such as the National Museum of African American History and Culture. His painting, Blue Zone, is part of the collection of MAG, which will mount his largest museum solo exhibition to date later this year. He currently lives and works in Brooklyn, New York, and Tulum, Mexico.
On the evening on Friday, May 8, the public is invited to hear McCloud discuss his groundbreaking work and prolific career in the museum’s auditorium. The program is free, and the conversation will be led by Timothy Peterson, Ann and Irving Norry Curator of Contemporary Art. This program is sponsored by the University of Rochester Black Alumni Network. Click here to learn more and reserve free tickets.
Visionary Champions: Abby and Doug Bennett and the Sands Family Foundation – The Bennetts and the Sands Family Foundation are longtime supporters of the Memorial Art Gallery and the University of Rochester. Their visionary philanthropy and civic leadership have played a transformative role in advancing MAG’s mission and strengthening the Rochester community. In 2022, alongside Constellation Brands, they provided leadership funding to expand MAG’s Centennial Sculpture Park, ensuring free and open access of the Park to the public.
Community Partner: M&T Bank – Founded in 1856 in Buffalo, New York, M&T Bank is guided by the belief that when its communities succeed, everyone succeeds. A longtime partner of the Memorial Art Gallery, M&T Bank supports exhibitions, capital projects, and educational initiatives that broaden access to the arts and enrich the cultural vibrancy of the Rochester region.
About the Gala Chairs
MAG’s 2026 Gala Chairs Kitty and Nick Jospé are educators, community leaders, and longtime supporters of the arts. In addition to bolstering MAG’s 2026 Gala, the Jospés have made a leadership gift to MAG’s Free for All Forever campaign, reflecting their deep belief in the museum’s power to transform lives and communities. Their lifelong commitments to education, culture, and civic engagement continue to shape and strengthen Rochester’s arts landscape.
Save the Date
Mark your calendars for Saturday, May 9! Sponsorships are available now and individual tickets will be available for purchase in April. More information can be found here.
Thank you to our Presenting Sponsor
With gratitude and special recognition to our Presenting Sponsor: Margaret M. and David J. Burns and Family. The Memorial Art Gallery invites additional sponsors to join us for this unforgettable evening of art, community, and philanthropy. For sponsorship opportunities and more information, please click here.
About the Memorial Art Gallery
The Memorial Art Gallery showcases art from antiquity to the present day, including the outdoor public Centennial Sculpture Park. In addition to its permanent collection, MAG offers a year-round schedule of special exhibitions, lectures, concerts, tours, after-hours social events, and family activities. Learn more at mag.rochester.edu
About the Free For All, Forever Campaign
Civic leaders Abby and Doug Bennett and the Sands Family Foundation have committed a catalyzing $3 million dollars to establish an endowment ensuring permanent free admission to MAG for all. The Free For All, Forever Campaign initiative builds on MAG’s ongoing efforts to remove barriers to access and invites the community to join in supporting a more accessible experience for generations to come. Click here to learn how you can join the initiative.
Press contact: Paige Engard, Marketing & PR Specialist: 585.474.7695 / pengard@mag.rochester.edu
Photo 1: Save the Date for MAG Gala 2026: Flourish For All, Forever, on Saturday, May 9, 2026.
Photo 2: Hugo McCloud will be honored as Outstanding Artist on Saturday, May 9, at MAG Gala 2026: Flourish For All, Forever.
Photo 3: Abby and Doug Bennett and the Sands Family Foundation will be recognized as Visionary Champions at MAG Gala 2026: Flourish For All, Forever, on Saturday, May 9.