Inside the National Gallery Summer Party 2023
National Gallery Summer Party 2023 celebrates artistic freedom and raises funds for NG200 campaign.
Image: Yinka Ilori and Philip Colbert at The National Gallery summer party. 2023 © Dave Benett. Image courtesy of National Gallery
Over 700 people attended the National Gallery Summer Party on Thursday 15 June 2023, the Gallery's second summer party and fundraiser for NG200, The National Gallery's Bicentenary campaign. Notable figures, including Yinka Ilori, Philip Colbert, Lily Bertrand-Webb, and Bettina Korek, joined celebrity guests such as Maya Jama, Henri Bergmann, Bianca Jagger, Grayson Perry, and Felicity Jones in exploring the transformed gallery showcasing famous artworks. The event was inspired by the exhibition After Impressionism: Inventing Modern Art, celebrating artistic freedom and the birth of modern art.
Image: Lily Bertrand-Webb and Henri Bergmann at The National Gallery summer party. 2023 © Dave Benett. Image courtesy of National Gallery.
A surprise performance by multi-award-winning singer Celeste and renowned saxophonist Shabaka Hutchings entertained guests with a special set accompanied by a bespoke soundscape created by DJ John Gosling and Robert Ames from the London Contemporary Orchestra, offering a modern interpretation of Claude Debussy's Jeux.The National Gallery expressed gratitude to partners such as Burberry and the Al Thani Collection Foundation for their support.
Image: Grayson Perry at The National Gallery summer party. 2023 © Dave Benett. Image courtesy of National Gallery
In 2024, the National Gallery will celebrate its 200th anniversary with a year-long festival of art, creativity, and imagination. The gallery aims to serve communities nationwide and invite virtual visitors to engage with its stories and research. The celebrations will culminate in a grand art extravaganza within the newly remodelled space and Trafalgar Square.
Image: Bettina Korek at The National Gallery summer party. 2023 © Dave Benett. Image courtesy of National Gallery
The Summer Party is a vital fundraising event supporting the NG200 celebrations and the National Gallery's journey to becoming the Gallery for the Nation. With a total cost of £95 million for the NG200 Programme, the Gallery has already secured pledges and commitments nearing £83 million. The party generated crucial funds for their Bicentenary campaign, ensuring the Gallery remains accessible to all.
Click here to explore the NG200 programme: celebrating 200 years of the National Gallery.