As outgoing Executive Director Sheila Hughes took the stage at the BIMA Bash! Gala, she reflected on the power and place of a museum like BIMA. She spoke about everything from quiet moments of appreciation to times when museums help knock down barriers. BIMA is a place of dreams and risks, and, at its core, Sheila said, BIMA is a “joy incubator.”

At a time when bright spots can feel scarce, the Bash! was a shining reminder of the joy a museum can bring and how deeply art moves people and creates community—one so strong that it came together and broke all previous Bash! records!

At the sold-out Artful Party, the galleries were bursting with color from the Silent Auction art that covered every wall and table. The laughter that echoed across the Museum mixed perfectly with DJ Morgan’s soundtrack for the evening, as did the cheers when someone won their favorite piece. Five hundred people moved through the galleries during the Party, their hands filled with bites, drinks, and a pen for bidding. As you wove between old friends hugging and new friends just meeting, it was hard not to stop in your tracks in front of another piece of art and ask yourself, “What’s the harm in bidding on one more?” The energy was vibrant, the excitement intoxicating, and the joy overflowing!

The moment the doors opened for the Gala, the Silent Auction galleries were buzzing with conversation and bidding. The energy grew as the night progressed, carrying into the seated dinner until the cheers and bidding nearly brought the house down during the Live Auction! It was rivaled only by the standing ovation for Sheila Hughes’ keynote speech, as her final day as Executive Director after a decade of leadership coincided with the Gala. As Raise the Paddle gained momentum, the room rivaled the World Cup matches in Seattle—it was so lively that the auctioneer actually paused to catch their breath and check on the recorders! Not a dry eye was left in the room as we all felt the love and care radiating throughout the Gala.

Between bids, donations, sponsorships, and tickets, this year’s Bash! raised more funds than any previous year. Every dollar raised, minute volunteered, and ticket sold serves as a testament to the importance of museums as bright spots where people can gather, celebrate, and unite amid the darkness.

As Sheila said, “This Museum is cared for because it’s one that cares for you.” So to everyone who attended and contributed to Bash!: THANK YOU!