“Most museums on 5th Avenue are born from vanity projects of titans of industry or the whims of the well-connected political donor class, but El Museo was born out of the will, action, and pride of the community,” remarked Xochitl González to a radiant crowd who gathered at Casa Carmen in Tribeca to toast El Museo del Barrio’s 55th anniversary.
The evening exuded a strong sense of familiarity as well as a deep-seated cultural pride–not a surprise, considering that Museo del Barrio literally translates to neighborhood museum. Among the party-goers were Karla Martinez de Salas, Head of Content at Vogue Mexico and Latin America, who co-hosted the dinner, Yashica Olden, Global Chief Diversity & Inclusion Officer at Condé Nast, designer, Esteban Cortázar and Wes Gordon, Creative Director at Carolina Herrera. Model Lineisy Montero and actresses Juana Burga and Nava Mau from the hit Netflix series Baby Reindeer also joined in celebrating the New York City institution’s commitment to promoting and safeguarding Latinx and Caribbean culture.
The event, which also raised funds for Museo del Barrio’s critically-acclaimed exhibitions and vital educational programs, was sponsored by Maestro Dobel Tequila, who awarded Cuban artist Carlos Martiel–currently on exhibition at El Museo and also in attendance–the prestigious Maestro Dobel Latinx Prize in 2023. ¡Salud!