Nearly 500 distinguished patrons, sponsors, collectors, and local and international artists gathered at the DIA on November 11, 2023, to celebrate 50 years of the Detroit Film Theatre (DFT) and honor retiring Board Chairman Gene Gargaro and his wife Mary Anne at the DIA’s Annual Gala.
The DFT has presented visionary cinema for a half-century at the DIA, remaining committed to one of the world’s great art forms, ensuring that future generations can discover new films and restored masterworks.
Co-Chairs Yvonne Fisher, Carolynn and Aaron Frankel, Nicole George and Chris Thomas, and Tatiana Grant-Saunders and Tony Saunders transformed the museum’s Josephine F. and Walter B. Ford II Great Hall and Rivera Court to be reminiscent of old Hollywood glamour, reflecting Art-Deco décor and style. The memorable evening concluded with guests dancing into the night at an after-party featuring DJ Jared Sykes and the Gnote7 Band.
The enormous generosity displayed by our sponsors (see list below) played a pivotal role in advancing our mission to provide a venue for each visitor to find personal meaning in art. Funds raised through the event support critical museum operations and honor Mary Anne and Eugene Gargaro, Jr.’s legacy of leadership at the DIA upon Gene’s retirement as Board Chair after 20 years.
Click here to view event photos, by Olga Gamburg
Co-Chairs
- Yvonne Fisher
- Carolynn and Aaron Frankel
- Nicole George and Chris Thomas
- Tatiana Grant-Saunders and Tony Saunders
Committee
- Adele Acheson
- Bridget and John Apap
- Michelle Bassett
- Tina Bassett
- Sheri and Jonathan Boos
- Lisa Bouchard
- Lindsay Brock
- Denise Brooks-Williams
- Lindsey and Thomas Buhl
- Jane Burton
- Leland Calloway
- Andrew Camden
- Jenny and Bill Chope
- Leigh and Lane Coleman
- Shery Cotton
- Mary Kay and Keith E. Crain
- Joanne Danto and Arnold Weingarden
- Maureen T. D’Avanzo
- Alexandra Decker
- Dr. Shauna Ryder Diggs
- Frances and Kenneth Eisenberg
- Nicole Eisenberg
- Colleen and Blake Ellis
- Jennifer and David Fischer
- Barbara and Alfred J. Fisher III
- Brooke and Al Fisher
- Elise Fisher
- Lauren G. Fisher
- Elyse and David Foltyn
- Cynthia and Edsel Ford
- Sarah and Calvin Ford
- Linda Forte
- Judy Frankel
- Eliza Getz
- Christine Giampetroni
- Diana Golden
- Jennifer and Chris Granger
- Jill Heyllar
- Renee Janovsky
- Story S. John
- Danialle Karmanos
- Robin Kole-James
- Bonnie Larson
- Arlene and John Lewis
- Annie Margulis
- Joy Orley Nachman
- Jennifer and Joe Parke
- Lisa Pernick
- Vivian Rogers Pickard
- Katie Prior
- Fair Radom
- Anita Rajpal
- Kim Reuss
- Constance and Martin Ross
- Chris and Walter Schwartz
- Nettie Seabrooks
- Sandra Seligman
- Julie Sosa
- Linda Theodore
- Lorna Thomas, M.D.
- Joanne Ulnick
- Rhonda D. Welburn
- Janis and Bill Wetsman
- Trudi Wineman
- Carol Ziecik
In Honor of Mary Anne and Eugene A. Gargaro, Jr.
Platinum
- Jennifer Adderley
Gold
- Mr. Martin P. Krall, Jr. and Mr. and Mrs. Martin A. Krall
Silver
- Anonymous
- Aaron and Carolynn Frankel Family
- Judy Frankel
- Nicole and Matt Lester
- Richard and Jane Manoogian Foundation
- Molly and Mark Valade
- Young Family Foundation
Bronze
- Center Rock Capital Partners
- Ciena Healthcare
- Clarity Counseling & Wellness, LLC
- Joanne Danto and Arnold Weingarden
- DTE Foundation
- Nicole and Stephen Eisenberg
- The Fisher Family - Sis, Elise, Yvonne, Lauren, and Greg
- Catherine and Nathan Forbes
- Cynthia and Edsel Ford
- Ford Motor Company Fund
- Founders Junior Council
- Gerson Family Foundation
- Honigman LLP
- James Group Inc.
- Saunteel Jenkins and Carl Bentley
- William and Story John
- Edward C. and Linda Dresner Levy Foundation
- Brian T. McKinney, Sr. / Gayanga
- Perkins Law Group
- Tatiana Grant-Saunders and Tony Saunders
- The William H. Smith Family: Scott, Wendy, and Ken
- The Soave Family Foundation
- Toni A. Wisne Foundation
- Carol Ziecik
Supporters
- Lynn and Paul Alandt Foundation
- Rich Baird
- Alex Erdeljan and Susan Kaplan
- Jim and Patty George
- Jennifer and Dan Gilbert
- Amy and Mark Haimann
- Adam and Krystle Hollier
- Huntington T. Block Insurance Agency
- Sam Hussein
- Paul Kado
- Masterpiece International, Ltd.
- Monticello Associates
- Oswald Companies
- Our Next Energy (ONE)
- Joe and Jennifer Parke
- Alice R. Pfahlert
- Anthony and Kristy Schena
- Wolverine Packing Co.
- Burton A. Zipser and Sandra D. Zipser Foundation
Sponsors as of November 8, 2023
The DIA welcomes your gifts from Donor Advised Funds (DAFs). To help ensure that your gift aligns with IRS tax requirements, no event benefits will be provided in connection with donations made through DAFs; event payments should be made by any other non-DAF vehicles.