The Visionaries! Awards recognize four leaders in the worlds of business, arts, philanthropy and creativity. This year the Gala’s theme is ‘Scent’ in honor of the Museum of Art and Design’s (MAD) upcoming exhibition, The Art of Scent, the first museum exhibition to explore the design and aesthetics of olfactory art, opening at MAD Nov. 20, which will serve as the backdrop for the Nov. 27 gala.
This year’s honorees include:
The Romanoffs
Joyce and Maya Romanoff of the Maya Romanoff Corporation, celebrated designers and entrepreneurs, Sophia Grojsman of International Flavors & Fragrances Inc. (IFF), a legendary perfumer who has created some of the most classic and iconic fragrances in the world and Karyn Khoury of The Estée Lauder Companies, one of the most influential and indelible fragrance developers of our time.
Khoury
“The far-reaching explorations of this year’s awardees exemplifies MAD’s exploration of the world of design across all media and demonstrates how vital design is to every aspect of our lives,” said Holly Hotchner, the Museum’s Nanette L. Laitman Director. “These four individuals are an inspiration to us all, leaders in their varied fields, and the impact of their work touches the daily lives of their consumers and the experiences of museum visitors in myriad ways.”
Grojsman
Held this year at the Mandarin Oriental, Visionaries! will begin with a cocktail reception and silent auction featuring work by artists who have been represented in recent exhibitions at the Museum, as well as special scent-themed items, luxury goods, design items, travel getaways, and dining packages.
A special “scent dinner,” led by MAD’s curator of olfactory arts, Chandler Burr, encompassing parallel olfactory and delectable dining experiences, and the awards presentation, will follow.
Proceeds from the gala are directed to the support of MAD’s arts education program. This year the museum expects to serve nearly 10,000 children, grades K-12, from mostly underserved communities. Each year, more than 500 guests, including arts patrons, artists, designers and noted corporate and civic leaders, attend the gala.
