Over 150 guests from as far as Oakland, CA and Toronto, Canada attended this year's event on the 57th floor of the luxurious Residences at Two Liberty Plaza in downtown Philadelphia. The recipient of the Artist Achievement Award, Hank Willis Thomas, received a custom made sculpture of wood by the late John T. Scott of New Orleans. The award was presented to Hank by master printmaker and Tyler School of Art professor, John E. Dowell, Jr. In presenting the award to Hank, Professor Dowell noted that John T. Scott, the patriarch of contemporary New Orleans African American artists was an inspirational force for many generations of artists across America. Conveying Scott's art to a younger artist was akin to passing the torch of excellence and responsibility towards sharing our talents across generations. Hank's mother, educator, historian and photographer Deborah Willis, Ph.D. also participated in the ceremony. Dr. Willis is a former Brandywine Achievement Award honoree.

Sandra Dungee Glenn received the Arts Education Achievement Award for her dedication and activism in both the political and education realm as past chairman of the Philadelphia School Reform Commission and president of the American Cities Foundation. Her award was presented by another staunch supporter of the Arts, City Councilwoman Blondell Reynolds Brown. Guests were entertained by jazz singer Nnenna Freelon and a trio from the Clef Club for Jazz and the Performing Arts. Events surrounding the Gala were the opening reception for Barkley Hendricks' "Birth of the Cool" exhibition at the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts and a lecture by the famous architect and designer, Phillip Freelon. Freelon is a member of the winning design team for the new African American Museum of Arts and Culture planned for the Mall in Washington, DC.  Nnenna and Phillip Freelon were joined at the Gala by their daughter Maya and her husband M.K. Asante, a professor at Morgan State University.

Other noted guests included artist EJ Montgomery, collector Diane Whitfield Locke, artist Moe Brooker, architect Alexa Donaphin, and Toronto- based collector Kenneth Montague, DDS.

Guests who were patrons of the event were able to take home prints produced especially for the event by Deborah Willis ( I made a space for a good man...) and Hank Willis Thomas (To Be Sold). A few copies remain for sale. To view these images, check out our section on new print editions.

Hank Willis Thomas and Deborah Willis                                   Sandra Dungee Glenn