The fourth annual ArtSense Gala was held Saturday at the Orange County Museum of Art. Under the theme, “Glamour in the Grove,” the venue was glittering of coastal luminosity. To accentuate this theme, the museum’s uniquely geometric building was beautifully reworked into a replica of a California orange grove. Guests wore elegant flowers and radiant hues, curating a lush landscape. Attendees danced to live music by the Chris Norton Band and indulged in a four-course meal brought forth by resident caterer, Mix Mix. The event raised $1.6 million for the Orange County Museum of Art to support upcoming projects and promote the arts through accessible public programs. Laurén Chalmers and David Emmes served as co-chairs and warmly recognized Doug Aitken for his work as a multi-disciplinary artist. 

CEO and Director of OCMA, Heidi Zuckerman, took to the stage to thank the OCMA founders, the board of trustees, members of the museum, visionaries in attendance who have contributed significantly to the arts, culture, and philanthropy, and the 445,000 visitors that the museum has welcomed. This unprecedented number is made even more special when considering the museum only reopened post-pandemic in 2022. 

Aitken accepted the ArtSense Gala Artist Honoree Award, fondly reminiscing on the beauty of his Californian childhood and the consequentiality of exploring art at a young age. Thanking Zuckerman with a matched magnitude of affection and admiration, Aitken referred to the OCMA CEO and director as an “oracle.” The heartfelt speech emphasized the pertinent role of art in fostering and nurturing real relationships.

Zuckerman’s relationship with Aitken has been a tender and special one, as they’ve known each other both on a personal and professional level for thirty years. This history allowed for more intimate firsthand accounts of character, including a description of how Aitken “has a beautiful way of capturing the fluid, ever-changing nature of contemporary life.” This comment is made in regard to the honor of being able to host Aitken’s photography titled, fleeting field (2005) during the 60th Anniversary Initiative.

After rolling a short clip praising Aitken for the expansive and idiosyncratic portfolio he has built, co-chairs shared their appreciation as well. Chalmers and Emmes went on to give deep thanks for the cycle of community support and community building between the public and the OCMA. Patrons, sponsors, and guests were commended alike. Then, the cameras rolled once more to showcase the OCMA’s most vital accolades and highlight the impact it has had on the southern California social environment at large. With 3,400 students in school tours during 2024, and 100 free public programs, the OCMA has solidified itself as a regional mainstay. 

Aitken’s multimedia artwork titled, Lighstcape, will appear in the Getty’s PST ART initiative in November 2024 in collaboration with the Los Angeles Philharmonic.

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Photography Courtesy of OCMA