Galloping Forward: A Hudson River Museum Gala (2026)
Honoring
Robert Peterson
Featured Artist
Learn more about Robert Peterson.
Samantha Merton and Brett Humphreys
Community Champions
Learn more about Samantha Merton and Brett Humphreys.
Laura Vookles
Chair, HRM Curatorial Department
Isidore Konti Medal of Distinction
Recognizing 40 Years of Dedicated Service
Learn more about Laura Vookles.
Evening Program
6pm cocktails
7pm seated dinner
Live musical performances
Silent and live auctions
Festive cocktail attire
By purchasing a table or ticket, you will provide vital support for the Hudson River Museum’s 2026 exhibition series, including Robert Peterson: Journeys; Black Cowboys in America: The Photographs of Ron Tarver; and Ever Becoming: Our Stories, Our America, part of the HRM’s America250 celebration.
Your commitment also allows us to provide top-quality education, innovative programming, and access for more than 80,000 visitors of all ages from more than 40 states, including thousands of K-12 schoolchildren, to experience all our community and region have to offer.
In addition to the live auction at the event, a silent auction will be available onsite and at onecau.se/gallopingforward from May 14–28.
Sponsors*
Platinum
Samantha Merton and Brett Humphreys
Gold
Tom and Terry D’Auria
Karbone, Inc.
Rosina Rubin and Jeff Rose
Lorraine W. Shanley and David H. Snyder
Sound Associates, Inc.
Silver
The Bernacchia Family
David Brent
Cboe Global Markets
Brian Dore
Ginsburg Development Companies
The Ann and Arthur Grey Foundation
The Mulford Corporation/MHACY
Dr. John and Adele Vookles
Bronze
Mark Bergamini and Christopher Oates
Debra A. Blair and Richard deBart
Kate Buggeln and Steve Kulovits
Elise Kessler and Mark Mottel
Robin Liebowitz and Philippe Sandmeier
Montefiore Medical Center
Christina O’Neill
Jeffrey and Robin Roude
Patron
Maria and Steven Abbatista
Archimuse
Larry and Jill Feldman
Jennifer Huffman
Conrad and Sarah Meyer
Nancy Montag
OLA Consulting Engineers, PC
Laura and Chris Owens
Plan A Advisors
Susan Fraysse Russ and Andrew N. Russ
Julia Santos Solomon and Martin Krakower, MD
Thompson & Bender
Kate Waters and Lynette Phillips
Willett Public Affairs
*As of April 23, 2026
Gala Committee
Gala Co-Chairs
Debra A. Blair
Elizabeth Bracken-Thompson
Kate Buggeln
Christina O’Neill
Committee Members
Maria and Steven Abbatista
Thomas A. D’Auria
Clare Bell
Mark Bergamini
Bruce Bernacchia
David Brent
Taryn Duffy
Christina Ha
Elinor Humphreys
Gweneth Humphreys
Elise J. Kessler
Robin Liebowitz
Nancy Montag
DeWayne N. Phillips and Caroline A. Wamsler, PhD
Angelique Piwinski
Rosina Rubin
Susan Fraysse Russ
Lorraine W. Shanley
Monica Shulman
Tammy Torres
For sponsorship, tickets, and journal ads, email gala@hrm.org or call (914) 963-4550 x217.
If you cannot attend the event but would like to support the Hudson River Museum, please make a donation here.
All proceeds will benefit the HRM’s mission and programs. Your contribution is tax deductible to the full extent allowed by law.
