On Saturday, September 19, 2026, the Cantor Arts Center and the Anderson Collection at Stanford University welcomed guests to the Rodin Sculpture Garden for Museums by Moonlight, the institutions’ biennial gala benefiting the future of art, education, and cultural programming at Stanford.

Chaired by Samantha Wang, the evening raised more than $1.2 million for the two museums, supporting initiatives that make the arts accessible to the broader community, including free year-round admission, school tours, public programs, and exhibition publications.

This year’s celebration held particular significance as the museums honored the legacy of Ruth Asawa (1926–2013) during the centennial year of her birth. Known for her distinctive sculptural practice and enduring commitment to community and arts education, Asawa’s philosophy closely reflects the educational and cultural missions of both institutions.

Accepting the honor on Asawa’s behalf was her grandson, Henry Weverka, President of Ruth Asawa Lanier, Inc., marking a deeply personal moment within an evening dedicated to her extraordinary artistic legacy.

Guests arrived early for exclusive access to the museums’ galleries, where they experienced the world premieres of Patty Chang: surfacing and Solid Pictures: Photosculpture and the Making of Modern Likeness.

As evening settled over Stanford, the celebration moved outdoors. Cocktails on the North Lawn set the tone for an elegant night before guests gathered for a seated dinner surrounded by the monumental bronzes of the Rodin Sculpture Garden.

The evening’s menu was accompanied by wines generously donated by The Donum Estate, adding to the relaxed yet sophisticated atmosphere of the celebration.

Beyond the dinner and festivities, the gala served a larger purpose: sustaining the museums’ ability to bring art and education to the public. Funds raised support exhibitions, publications, educational programming, school visits, and free admission throughout the year.

Yet it was after dessert that the evening took an especially memorable turn.

The dance floor filled with guests and remained lively late into the night, with attendees dancing alongside Rodin’s sculptures beneath the California sky. The juxtaposition of contemporary celebration, historic sculpture, and the gardens at night created one of the evening’s defining scenes.

For a gala centered on the power of art and community, the celebration felt fittingly communal. Guests were not simply gathered to admire art, but to support the institutions that make it accessible, while celebrating the legacy of an artist whose own work was deeply connected to education, public engagement, and community.

Museums by Moonlight 2026 ultimately brought together philanthropy, art, education, and social connection in one remarkable evening at Stanford, while honoring Ruth Asawa’s enduring belief that art belongs within the life of a community.