In a dazzling evening of art, culture, and philanthropy, Casita Maria Center for Arts and Education hosted its 90th annual Fiesta benefit at The Plaza Hotel, honoring notable figures including Carolina Herrera Creative Director Wes Gordon, philanthropist Lucy Doughty, and renowned gallerists James J. Borynack and Adolfo Zaralegui of Wally Findlay Galleries International.

Photos by BFA Danté Crichlow and Matt Borkowski

This year’s gala was a tribute to the power of creativity and community, with honorees sharing their appreciation for the vital work of Casita Maria, an institution that has spent nearly a century providing arts education and services to New York’s underserved communities. Wes Gordon, who was awarded Casita Maria’s prestigious Gold Medal of Honor, summed up the spirit of the night by saying, “The world desperately needs more art, more creativity, more joy, more dance, more dreamers dreaming dreams.”

Lucy Doughty, a champion of community service, reflected on the personal rewards of giving back, while Borynack and Zaralegui praised the lasting impact Casita Maria has on children and families in the Bronx. The event, chaired by HRH Prince Dimitri of Yugoslavia and Jacqueline Weld Drake, saw attendees donning Carolina Herrera gowns, dancing the night away in celebration of art and education’s transformative power.

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