Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego

Sold-Out Fundraiser Celebrates Fusion of Creativity with Immersive Art, Live Performances, and High-Energy Beats

May 23, 2025 - SAN DIEGO, CA – On Saturday, May 3, 2025, the Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego (MCASD) was transformed into a living canvas for its inaugural Avant Garde Ball, its new annual spring fundraiser. The sold-out celebration of art, music, and fashion drew over 400 of San Diego’s most innovative creatives, collectors, and culture-makers. Chaired by Anna Haudenschild Meier, Jennifer Nelson, and Alex High, The Avant Garde Ball redefined the city’s nightlife scene with boundary-pushing activations, proving that art belongs as much on the runway as it does on the walls.

Inspired by MCASD’s Avant Garde Membership, the Avant Garde Ball invited the next generation of creatives, innovators, and art lovers into MCASD for a night of self-expression. Avant Garde is MCASD’s vibrant community of young professionals that offers unparalleled, behind-the-scenes access to contemporary art while also connecting members with artists, curators, collectors, and like-minded peers.

The theme for the night was “Contemporary Couture” where guests arrived in bold, art-inspired attire, turning MCASD’s Joan and Irwin Jacobs Building into a dynamic runway. The evening’s highlights included:

• A live wheat paste mural by artist, Invasive Animal, installed in real time, while Fox Maxy’s sneak peek of her forthcoming fashion film, A Walk Through Dreams, mesmerized crowds.

• The Rosin Box Project blurred lines between audience and performer, guiding guests through an interactive contemporary ballet experience.

• The Re:claimed pop-up offered curated vintage designer goods, with proceeds benefiting MCASD’s mission to invite all audiences to experience our world, our region, and ourselves through the prism of contemporary art.

• Electrifying sets from DJ Myyon, Cowbell Chris, and DAUCHÉ kept the dance floor packed, while indie acts Ben Parks and We The Commas delivered intimate melodies in Jacobs Hall.

VIP guests enjoyed artist meet-and-greets, portrait sessions with Stacy Keck, first access to Re:claimed with tray-passed bubbly, and VIP gifts bags upon exiting. The crowd fueled up on playful bites from Feast on This Catering and artful cocktails, while the CND™ Nail Art Bar added pops of color to avant garde looks.

The energy of the first Avant Garde Ball surpassed every expectation. Seeing artists, guests, and performers collide in this way—where fashion became art and the museum became a stage—confirmed how hungry San Diego is for experiences that champion the extraordinary.

High-resolution images can be found here. Additional details available upon request.