An Evening Etched with Impact: The 2026 Taft Fundraising Gala

04 May 2026
By Jennifer Horvath, Director of Development

The Taft Museum of Art welcomed guests and supporters to the museum on May 1, 2026, to experience Black and White Bash: A Night at the Taft, a celebration and gala supporting the museum’s educational and outreach programs. Attendees delighted in an elevated culinary experience featuring gourmet delicacies, handcrafted cocktails, and the high-energy entertainment of live music from dueling pianos.

The black-and-white-themed event was inspired by the exhibition Rembrandt: Masterpieces in Black and White, and grossed over $319K, raising funds to help support Taft’s many free educational programs such as Art for All, Artists Reaching Classrooms, and Family Fundays. 

Seeing our community gather to support the museum's educational initiatives and bring art experiences to students is truly something special. In a time where support of arts organizations is vital, the funds raised from this event are that much more impactful and increase access to arts education across the region.

2026 Gala Committee | (left to right) Sonya McNamara, Jenn Pease, Ron Bates, Randy Lasley, Kelsey Rosenkrantz, Madeline Lawrence, John Lawrence, Jen Horvath, Kelsey Bahl, Megan Shields, Nate McNamara, Kathy Schmitt, Anne Shanahan, Nancy Fehr

Thank You to our 2026 Sponsors!

Kelsey Bahl, Ron Bates and Randy Lasley, Kristin Bohlke, Jennifer Dakers, Nancy Fehr, Leilani Hock, Alexis Joseph, Bree Joseph, Madeline and John Lawrence, Sonya and Nate McNamara, Jenn Pease, Laura Pease, Kelsey Rosenkrantz, Kathy Schmitt, Anne Shanahan, Megan Shields, Francie Wehmeyer

Chemed Foundation, Fifth Third, Amy and George Joseph, Western & Southern Financial Group

Bahl & Gaynor, The Dickey Family: Kodiak, Martha Feller, The Oliver Family Foundation, Elizabeth Warner and Laurent Huguenin

19/19 Investment Council, A Friend of the Taft (2), The DeBow Family, Druffel Design and Landscape, Eat Well Celebrations and Feasts, FBT Gibbons - Chris and Angela Habel, Nancy and Rick Fehr, Gallery Jenseits, HBH Holdings, Inc., John and Madeline Lawrence, Phillip C. Long, Kenneth Taft Mahler and Molly M. Mahler, Lauren and Tom Shafer, Barbara Weyand

AGAR, Castellini Foundation, CET and PBS, Jennifer and Michael Dakers, Hock Family Foundation, Laura and Chip Pease, Quince & Quinn / John Hinger, Eric and Courtney Ragland, Mr. and Mrs. Martin Rahe, Ellen Rieveschl, Joan and Alvin Roehr, Elizabeth and Patrick Rogers, Kathy and Dave Schmitt, Anne and Jim Shanahan, Robert and Rhonda Starghill, Taft Law, Terri and Bill Tobler, Frances and Evan Wehmeyer

A Friend of the Taft (3), Kelsey and John Bahl, Ron Bates and Randy Lasley, Breanne and Robert Bovara, Jack and Joanne Brown, Ally and Sam Chasnoff, Barbara L. Cogan, Philip and Anne Lily Cone, Amy and Trevor Furbay, Sama and Kevin Gade, Mary Ellen Goeke and Tom Schiff, Bill and Christy Griesser, Brad Hansman and Drew Ross, Libby and Ben Hardigg, Louise A. Head, David and Lada Hill, Leilani and Jeff Hock, Jen and Lyle Horvath, M. Katherine Hurley and Jens Rosenkrantz Jr., Melanie and Doug Hynden, Heidi Jark and Steve Kenat, Bree and Brennan Joseph, Grant and Alexis Joseph, Wendy and Greg Joseph, Heather and Lee Krombholz, Martha and Carl H. Lindner III, Deborah and Bruce Long, Baxter and Sam Male, Jill and Larry McGruder, Sonya and Nate McNamara, Kyle and Sarah Motycka, Megan and Cory Ramsey, Ron and Ruth Schmiedeker, David and Abby Schwartz, Betsy K. Schwartz, Megan and Larry Shields, Ann Silbers, Lorraine Torti and Kevin Moore, Bebe and Phil Vollmer, Graham and Christine Vollmer, Senator Steve and Hill Wilson, Maggie and Mark Wuellner

Fitz the Occasion


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