Yeehaw! For Ballroom Marfa’s 20th Anniversary, Texas Spirit Met New York Flair

In a sea of bolo ties, cowboy boots, and tasteful fringe, the Cathedral of St. John the Divine laid out an architecturally dramatic, Texas-imbued flavor for Ballroom Marfa’s 20th-anniversary gala.

The night honored philanthropist and founding board member Allison Sarofim, as well as artist and board member Leo Villareal – longtime champions of the organization and Marfa’s art ecosystem. The two received the commemorative Off The Grid Award, designed by Joel Gaitan.

“Working with artists and fellow board members while watching their evolution has been incredible,” Sarofim shared. “At the Ballroom, we choose to look through a different lens. We’ve forged our own path.”

Style-forward sponsors included Brunello Cucinelli and Belperron, while guests made up a cross-section of culture, art, and fashion luminaries such as Joe Jonas, Anna Weyant, Wes Gordon, Cynthia Rowley, and Lauren Santo Domingo. Co-founders Virginia Lebermann and Fairfax Dorn were present to welcome the group under manufactured stars, made possible by Villareal's breathtaking light installation over the 135-foot diameter dome of the cathedral. Custom, zero-gravity benches by the artist provided a viewing point for the work.

“We spent months working on this one-night installation to activate the space and evoke the cosmos,” Villareal explained under the twinkling lights.

To announce the transition to dinner, The Marching Cobras presented a lively drum and dance performance through the main concourse of the cathedral before comedian and MC John Early rallied the room into a procession of speeches and offerings of gratitude.

Broadway’s Matt Hinkley, Fernell Hogan, Tiffany Mann, and Samantha Williams guided the audience into a rousing rendition of “Deep In The Heart of Texas,” which found attendees dancing from their seats and singing along. A silent auction sealed the energy of the night with the sale of three works by artists Florian Krewer, Alejandro Piñeiro Bello (also in attendance), and Marina Perez Simao, highlighting the painterly excellence of the three while impacting Ballroom Marfa’s efforts in real-time.

As dainty cupcakes and assorted treats made their way onto tables in towering trays, the evening settled into a warm hum of celebration, affirming Ballroom Marfa's legacy—and the next 20 years—of bridging art, community, and bold creativity.