Vernissage
Vernissage 2025 at Festival Hall
Photo: Jeremy Lawson Photography
The Women’s Board of the Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago invites you to attend the Vernissage Brunch, a lavish benefit on the opening day of EXPO CHICAGO, taking place on Thursday, April 9, 2026, at Navy Pier’s Festival Hall.
Vernissage supporters receive first access to EXPO CHICAGO beginning at 11:30 am on opening day—before the art fair opens to the public. Guests enjoy a luxurious brunch alongside curators, artists, and fellow art enthusiasts, while being among the first to experience Chicago’s most distinctive art fair. Tickets include access to EXPO CHICAGO for the entirety of the fair, beginning Thursday, April 9, through Sunday, April 12, at any time during General Admission hours.
Proceeds from this event raise significant funds in support of the MCA’s Learning programs, which offer compelling opportunities for Chicago youth to explore, discuss, and reflect on the MCA’s exhibitions and programs, as well as the world of contemporary art and culture.
For questions about this event, please contact vernissage@mcachicago.org or 312-397-3871.
Donors
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Premier Sponsors
Anonymous
Carol Prins and John Hart/The Jessica Fund
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Lead Sponsors
Dr. Anita Blanchard and Martin Nesbitt
Lisa Duarte
Rachel and David Grund
Anne L. Kaplan
Karen and Liam Krehbiel
Trissa Babrowski and Sundeep Mullangi
Cari and Michael Sacks
Karyn and Bill Silverstein
Liz Stiffel
Zell Family Foundation
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Sponsors
Anonymous
Marlene Breslow-Blitstein and Berle Blitstein
Jennifer and Alex Brown
Nancy and Steven Crown
Laura and Tony Davis and Linden Capital Partners
Stephanie and John Harris
Marilyn G. Kushen
Elissa Morgante
Cathy Ross and Chris Liguiori
Cheryl and John Seder
Ellen Wallace and Steven Gould -
Benefactors
Sasha Adler
Helyn Goldenberg and Michael Alper
Sharon and Neil Book
Gwen Callans and Biff Ruttenberg
Conduit Studio
Catherine A. Daniels
Andrea and Steven DeMar
Marcia and Tom Fraerman
Nancy and David Frej
Jack and Sandra Guthman
Karen Z. Gray-Krehbiel and John H. Krehbiel
Cynthia Hunt and Philip Rudolph
Susan and Steven Insoft
Mr. and Mrs. Alan Koppel
Lisa and Michael Marick
Dr. Sally Metzler-Dunea
Robin Loewenberg Tebbe and Mark Tebbe
Natasha and Dr. Rohit Vuppuluri
Dia S. Weil -
Supporters
Lorin Adolph
Mica Alexis
Janet and Steven Anixter
Wren Berger
Rada and Matthew Burdeen
Centered by Design
Lori Crosley
Kathryn and Kevin Doughten
Nneka B. Dunham
Megan Dwyer and James Estes
Dr. Robin Gallardi
Tonya and Matt Geesman
Rachel Harris
Jeri Netter Henoch
Diane Kahan and Dan Hyman
Loren Johnson
Nancy and Rick Kreiter
Laura Lester
Deborah Lovely
J.M. Mesple
Georgie and Tom Miller
Lauren Conway Modahl
Elizabeth and Russell Mollen
Nadia Murad
Amy Olwsang
Bryan L. Perry
Lauren Peterson
Joe Reinstein
Yumi Shilowitz Ross
Vera Ryder
Gabby Berger Sainati
Betsy Beierle Showel and Matt Showel
Elisa K. Spain
Maggie Stepf
Rena and Daniel Sternberg
Robyn Tavel
Paula Fuller Tobin
Natasha and Dr. Rohit Vupppuluri
Natalie Waechter
