$7.6m Raised at 24th TWO x TWO for AIDS and ART 2023

Over $120 Million Raised for amfAR and Dallas Museum of Art Over 24 Years

Artist María Berrío Receives the 2023 amfAR Award of Excellence for Artistic Contributions to the Fight Against AIDS

Presenting Sponsor: Saks
Entertainer: Jason Derulo

PHOTO LINK: Press Release Photos
All images courtesy of TWO x TWO for AIDS and Art; Photographer credit noted with each file.

DALLAS, TX (October 21, 2023) – On Saturday evening, October 21, 2023, the 24th annual TWO x TWO for AIDS and Art benefit dinner and contemporary art auction presented by Saks raised $7.6 million with funds benefiting amfAR, The Foundation for AIDS Research, and the Dallas Museum of Art.

The sold-out black-tie event co-hosted by Cindy and Howard Rachofsky and Lisa and John Runyon was held at The Rachofsky House in Dallas. The event hosted 515 guests.

“We are honored to be the hosts of TWO x TWO and humbled by the success of this endeavor supporting two important causes, The Dallas Museum of Art and amfAR, the Foundation for AIDS research,” said Howard Rachosky, who founded the event with his wife Cindy, “But it is through the generosity of our artists, dealers and supporters who have made this event such a cherished asset in our community. It is not just the financial success but an opportunity to share the pleasures of the visual arts while helping fund important research.”

The annual black-tie gala is the largest U.S. fundraiser for amfAR and the Dallas Museum of Art. Since its inception, TWO x TWO for AIDS and Art has raised over $120 million in support of essential AIDS research at amfAR and for the Contemporary Art Acquisitions Fund at the Dallas Museum of Art. The Presenting Sponsor for the Saturday evening gala was Saks.

The gala evening was designed by Todd Fiscus of Todd Events, who transformed the 7,000-square-foot geodesic dome tent, which soars 48 feet in the center, into a space inspired by the works of María Berrío. The design elements incorporated a rich color palette of shades of blue, lavender and green, with nods to nature. The house exterior featured a video mapping projection of butterflies in migration. Inside the tent, the stage backdrop highlighted lush landscapes of the Colombian rainforests, paying homage to the featured artist María Berrío’s home country.

Upon entry, guests were greeted with trays of Cindy Rachofsky’s favorite “Cindy’s Margarita,” featuring Casa Dragones Blanco tequila, leading them to the Tequila Casa Dragones lounge. The space, inspired by the brand’s newly redesigned La Casa Dragones in San Miguel de Allende, featured white marble and gold details to elegantly highlight the four expressions. Guests also sipped on bubbles by La Grande Dame and Belvedere cocktails in the blue-hued Roche Bobois lounge area.

Moving into the tent, guests were seated to enjoy a multi-course dinner. Cindy and Howard Rachofsky and Lisa and John Runyon thanked all sponsors, donors and attendees of the 24th annual event.

Dr. Anna Katherine Brodbeck, the Hoffman Family Senior Curator of Contemporary Art at the Dallas Museum of Art introduced guests to María Berrío. amfAR Co-Chairs of the Board, T. Ryan Greenawalt and Kevin McClatchy, presented María Berrío with amfAR’s 2023 Award of Excellence for Artistic Contributions to the Fight Against AIDS.

At the dinner’s conclusion, Jason Derulo entertained the crowd with a variety of his top hits, including, Whatcha Say, Savage Love, Ridin Solo and Trumpets. After his performance, Derulo kicked off the auction with a personal $100,000 donation.

There were 131 works of art offered in the live and silent auctions this year as well as a luxury travel package including stays at various One&Only properties across Arabia and South Africa. The live auction was conducted by Michael Macaulay, Senior Vice President, Sotheby’s, Senior International Specialist, Contemporary Art. The live auction featured works by artists María Berrío, Eduardo Sarabia, Rebecca Manson, Alicia Adamerovich, Madeline Donahue, Michelle Blade, William Atkinson and more.

An after party, presented by Loewe, continued the festivities in the back garden of The Rachofsky House. The elevated, moody lounge space featured lush greenery alongside rich shades of emerald and luxe neutrals. A Casa Dragones bar served ice cold espresso martinis featuring Casa Dragones Añejo, created by Jose Luis Leon. Party goers also enjoyed Pizzana pizza by Chef Daniele Utidi.

IN ATTENDANCE

VIPs and Sponsors

Cindy and Howard Rachofsky, TWO x TWO Hosts and Founders
Lisa and John Runyon, TWO x TWO Co-Hosts
Jason Derulo, Featured Performer
Marc Metrick, CEO of Saks alongside wife Deborah Metrick
Melissa Ireland, TWO x TWO Director
Megan Gratch, Director of Auction, TWO x TWO
Dr. Agustín Arteaga, The Eugene McDermott Director, DMA
T. Ryan Greenawalt, amfAR Co-Chair of the Board
Kevin McClatchy, amfAR Co-Chair of the Board
Dr. Anna Katherine Brodbeck, Hoffman Family Senior Curator of Contemporary Art, Dallas Museum of Art
Michael Macaulay, Auctioneer – Senior Vice President, Sotheby’s | Senior International Specialist, Contemporary Art
Michael Simcoe, VP of Global Design for Cadillac
Gene and Jerry Jones, Dallas Cowboys Owners and Philanthropists
Ross Moody, Philanthropist

Notable Attendees and Donors

María Berrío, amfAR’s 2023 Award of Excellence for Artistic Contributions to the Fight Against AIDS
Todd Fiscus, Event Producer
Jason Wu, Celebrated Designer
Prabal Gurung, Celebrated Designer
Silvia Tcherassi, Celebrated Designer
Cameron Silver, Founder of Decades
Bertha González Nieves, Co-Founder and CEO of Casa Dragones
Mishele Wells, Chief Marketing & Creative Officer of Casa Dragones
Cornelia Guest, Philanthropist and Author
Ken Fulk, AD100 Designer
Kurt Wootton, Partner of Ken Fulk
Thomas Keller, Celebrated Chef
Porschla and Jason Kidd, Dallas Mavericks Head Coach
Jessica and Dirk Nowitzki, Retired NBA All-Star, Dallas Mavericks
Scott Rothkopf, Senior Deputy Director and Nancy and Steve Crown Family Chief Curator, Whitney Museum

Over the years, previous performers and VIP celebrity guests at TWO x TWO for AIDS and Art events have included Alan Cumming, a dedicated supporter of TWO x TWO who has made numerous appearances at the event as both emcee and as a featured performer, Nile Rodgers and CHIC, Rita Ora, Aloe Blacc, Taylor Dayne, CeeLo Green, John Benjamin Hickey, Cheyenne Jackson, Gladys Knight, Patti LaBelle, Shirley MacLaine, Barry Manilow, Gilles Marini, Ricky Martin, Jesse Metcalfe, Liza Minnelli, Natasha Richardson, Diana Ross, Gavin Rossdale, Teddy Sears, Sharon Stone, Ryan Tedder, Robin Thicke, Stanley Tucci, Diane Von Furstenberg, Dita Von Teese, Sigourney Weaver and Zoe Saldana.

Renowned artists Rashid Johnson, Yoshitomto Nara, Alex Katz, Cecily Brown, Peter Doig, Tom Friedman, April Gornik, Mark Grotjahn, Wade Guyton, Jim Hodges, Ellsworth Kelly, Laura Owens, Elizabeth Peyton, Richard Phillips, Robert Rauschenberg, Ed Ruscha, Julian Schnabel, Dana Schutz, Joel Shapiro, Luc Tuymans, Jonas Wood and Christopher Wool have been honored over the past 23 years of TWO x TWO for AIDS and Art.

TWO x TWO for AIDS and Art is an annual black-tie gala and contemporary art auction held at The Rachofsky House in Dallas, Texas. Thanks to the phenomenal support of the participating artists, dealers, sponsors, and patrons, TWO x TWO has raised over $120 million in its 24-year history in support of amfAR’s AIDS research initiatives and the Dallas Museum of Art’s contemporary art acquisitions and exhibitions. TWO x TWO for AIDS and Art has evolved into a series of social events designed to highlight the efforts of amfAR and engage the arts community in Dallas. TWO x TWO has become the largest fundraiser in the United States for amfAR. TWO x TWO is also the largest single annual source of funds for contemporary art acquisitions at the DMA, enabling the addition of over 300 major works of contemporary art to its permanent collection and helping to fund remarkable contemporary exhibitions. It is the extraordinary generosity, passion, and dedication at the heart of this endeavor that ensure the continued success of TWO x TWO for AIDS and Art. twoxtwo.org

Beneficiaries

amfAR, The Foundation for AIDS Research, is dedicated to ending the global AIDS epidemic through innovative research. Since its founding in 1985, amfAR has accelerated the pace of HIV/AIDS research and contributed to numerous breakthroughs that are extending and saving lives around the world. Today, amfAR is a leader in the search for a cure for HIV and is one of the largest funders of cure research among philanthropic organizations worldwide. Informed by thorough research and analysis, amfAR is also a highly respected advocate of rational and compassionate AIDS-related public policy. (amfAR.org)

The Dallas Museum of Art, established in 1903, is among the 10 largest art museums in the country. With a free general admission policy and community outreach efforts, the DMA is distinguished by its commitment to research, innovation, and public engagement. At the heart of the Museum and its programs is its global collection, which encompasses 25,000 works and spans 5,000 years of history, representing a full range of world cultures. Located in the nation’s largest arts district, the Museum acts as a catalyst for community creativity, engaging people of all ages and backgrounds with a diverse spectrum of programming, from exhibitions and lectures to concerts, literary events, and dramatic and dance presentations. The DMA is an Open Access institution, allowing all works believed to be in the public domain to be freely available for downloading, sharing, repurposing, and remixing without restriction The DMA directs all proceeds from TWO x TWO to the TWO x TWO for AIDS and Art Fund. (dma.org)

MEDIA CONTACT:
Mary-Wesley Maddox, Droese Public Relations
Marywesley@droesepr.com
979.221.8270