INSIDE SOUTHAMPTON ARTS CENTER’S RECORD-BREAKING SUMMERFEST 2026
Southampton Arts Center set a new fundraising record at its annual SummerFest Gala on August 22, raising $1 million in support of the nonprofit’s exhibitions, cultural programming, and arts education initiatives. More than 400 guests gathered in Southampton for the summer benefit, which honored John Paulson and Alina de Almeida with the 2026 Champion of the Arts Award.
Paulson and de Almeida recently provided funding through The Paulson Family Foundation to transform the center’s grounds into the Paulson Family Gardens. The newly designed landscape served as the backdrop for an evening that brought together leaders from the worlds of art, philanthropy, fashion, business, and Hamptons society.
SummerFest was co-chaired by Anke and Jürgen Friedrich, Jamee and Peter Gregory, Audrey and Martin Gruss, Simone and David Levinson, and Chris and Richard Mack. The evening opened with a performance by Escola de Samba BOOM, followed by a cocktail reception featuring tastings from local restaurants and hospitality partners including Clamman, Dopo Argento, The Party Perfectionist, Hamptons Gifts & Events, Saaz, and Shippy’s.
Guests sampled cocktails by LALO, Aphrodise, Amante, and The Macklowe Whiskey while viewing “The Photography Collection of Judy Glickman Lauder,” on display at Southampton Arts Center through September 27.
Dinner by Acquolina Catering followed in the garden beneath strands of fairy lights, with floral arrangements designed by Arthur Golabek and music by Olivier Meiji. The evening’s guests included Hilary and Wilbur Ross, Jane Holzer, Phyllis and Bill Mack, Christine and Richard Mack, Jennifer and Ambassador David Fischer, Pepe Fanjul, Jamee and Peter Gregory, Barbara and Randall Smith, Fern Mallis, Barbara and Scott Greenstein, Kim Heirston, Mayor William Manger Jr., Ali and Lew Sanders, Nicole and Allen Salmasi, Jen Weis and John Monsky, Kara Ross, Wendy and Howard Cox, Katharina Otto-Bernstein and Nathan Bernstein, Julie and Billy Macklowe, Barbara and Ambassador Cliff Sobel, Cristina and Chris Cuomo, and Lynn Scotti.
During the gala, Mayor Manger presented a proclamation to Paulson and de Almeida in recognition of their commitment to Southampton’s cultural community. Simone Levinson, a founder and chairperson of SAC, then addressed guests and reflected on the collaborative spirit behind the institution.
“Southampton Arts Center is my happy place because it embodies a spirit of generosity and collaboration that is all too rare in the world today,” Levinson said. “Our invitation should come with a warning label, because like Hotel California: you can check out anytime you like, but you can never leave.”
She highlighted several of SAC’s recent and upcoming programs, including Wilbur Ross’ book talk for “Risks and Returns,” a screening of Katharina Otto-Bernstein’s “The Last Spy,” the sculpture garden curated by Leila Heller and Christine Mack, and the Hope for Depression Research Foundation’s annual seminar, founded by Audrey Gruss.
Levinson also recognized Dr. Fatima Morrell, Superintendent of Southampton Public Schools, whose partnership with SAC helped launch the “First Light” exhibition and an arts education program reaching 1,200 students in the Southampton Public School District earlier this year.
Paulson and de Almeida subsequently took the stage to accept the Champion of the Arts Award from Levinson. Speaking about the vision behind the Paulson Family Gardens, Paulson described the project as an escape from the movement and noise of the surrounding village.
“The goal we had was to create an oasis in the middle of the village,” he said. “The moment you walk through the gates you leave the traffic and noise behind and you’re transported into a bucolic garden full of nature and beauty.”
Paulson thanked Levinson for bringing the project to life, landscape architect Chris LaGuardia for executing its design, and de Almeida for inspiring the concept during a walk along Jobs Lane.
The SummerFest host committee included Debbie and Glenn August, Jill Braufman and Dan Nir, Wendy and Howard Cox, Walter Deane, Molly and Bill Ford, Lauren and Marty Geller, Marc Glimcher, Marjorie and Josh Harris, Yaz and Valentin Hernandez, Jane Holzer, Sharon and Anton Katz, Beth and Chris Kojima, Hilary and Wilbur Ross, Barbara and Randall Smith, Sarah and Andrew Wetenhall, and Silvia and Sophocles Zoullas.
Proceeds from SummerFest support Southampton Arts Center’s four annual exhibitions and approximately 150 yearly programs spanning film, music, dance, theater, lectures, wellness, workshops, and children’s events. The center welcomes more than 50,000 visitors annually as part of its mission to build community through the arts and contribute to the cultural life of Southampton.
Sponsors of the 2026 gala included Aphrodise, Balmain Paris, Bloomberg Philanthropies, BuddhaBerry, GRAFF, LALO, Palmer, Peter Thomas Roth, Purist, and The Macklowe Whiskey.
Photo credit: Rob Rich/SocietyAllure.com and Madison Fender/BFA.com
