On Saturday, February 11, 2023, Pérez Art Museum Miami (PAMM) hosted artists, philanthropists, and museum supporters for the tenth annual Art + Soul presented by Northern Trust, the museum’s premier social and fundraising event in support and celebration of the PAMM Fund for Black Art, which allows the museum to purchase and showcase contemporary art by Black artists for its permanent collection. The museum raised more than $1.6 million for the Fund.

PAMM Director Franklin Sirmans revealed the fund’s most recent art acquisitions: With a Heart of Gold by Willie Cole and The Blues by Carrie Mae Weems. With a Heart of Gold is the first work by Cole in the museum’s permanent collection, which includes works by artists such as Terry Adkins, Romare Bearden, Kevin Beasley, Ed Clark, Theresa Chromati, Nari Ward, Lorraine O’Grady, Ebony G. Patterson, Faith Ringgold, Tschabalala Self, Vaughn Spann, Juana Valdes, and more.

The evening also honored actor and activist Jesse Williams, who ranks among the most notable young collectors of art from the African diaspora, with a collection including work by Charles White, Benny Andrews, Kerry James Marshall, Noah Davis, Ferrari Sheppard, Jerrell Gibbs, Janiva Ellis, and more. The event was co-hosted by a Vanguard Committee of patrons including Tracey Robertson Carter and Christopher Carter, Patricia and Lloyd Howell, Eric Johnson and Holly Gaines, Deryl McKissack, and Dorothy Terrell.

“Art + Soul is a moment for us to express our gratitude not only for our community, but for the incredible artists that enter our orbit and the variety of cultures showcased on the walls of our galleries. The PAMM Fund for Black Art—an important initiative which allows us to build a collection reflective of the community—grants us the opportunity to do just that,” said PAMM Director Franklin Sirmans. “Our tenth anniversary of Art + Soul was a magical evening, and we’re thankful to all who support us.”

Guests enjoyed cocktails and a specially-curated dinner by Ghetto Gastro (Jon Gray, Pierre Serrao and Lester Walker). Following a glamorous champagne toast to the acquisition reveal, guests danced and mingled under the stars with live performances by Guitars over Guns, Deep Fried Funk, and DJ Pam Jones.

Attendees also had the opportunity to view the museum’s current exhibitions which include Leandro Erlich: Liminal presented by Citi, the artist’s first ever survey in North America. Featuring a selection of 16 interactive works and site-specific installations that span more than two decades of the artist’s career, the exhibition includes Erlich’s famed Swimming Pool, the impossible-to-miss installation which submerges viewers, creating an unforgettable experience.

Notable guests included actor, collector and activist Jesse Williams; artist Willie Cole; chef collective Ghetto Gastro; Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava; Miami-Dade Commissioner (District 8) Danielle Cohen Higgins; PAMM Chief Curator Gilbert Vicario; PAMM Board Chairman Aaron Podhurst; PAMM Board President Luke Palacio; PAMM Trustees Chris Armstrong, Maria Bechily, Karen Bechtel, Mitchell Bierman, Barron Channer, Greg Ferrero, John Fumagalli, Dorothea Green, Rose Ellen Greene, Diane Grob, Eric G. Johnson, Kimberly Marshall, Deryl McKissack, Diane Moss, Dr. Mark Oren and Nedra Oren, Patricia Papper, Sylvia Pope, Dorothy Terrell, and Juan Toro; writer and activist Tom Healy; philanthropists Patricia and Lloyd Howell; artist and architect Germane Barnes; Ambassador Kirk Wagar and Crystal Wagar; Ambassador Steven Green; John S. and James L. Knight Foundation CEO Alberto Ibargüen; former Miami Television anchor Neki Mohan; artist Christopher Carter and Tracey Robertson Carter; interior designer Doreen Chambers; actress Holly Gaines; collectors Eric McKissack and Cheryl McKissack Daniel and NFL star and broadcaster Desmond Howard; Senator Shevrin D. Jones of the Florida State Senate; Past Art + Soul Honoree Pamela J. Joyner and Fred Giuffrida; Dr. Anita Blanchard and Martin Nesbitt, philanthropists Jorge and Darlene Pérez; Frank and Luisa Borges; Amina Dickerson; curator Larry Ossei-Mensah; artists Chire Regans, Loni Johnson, T. Elliott Mansa, Nate Young and Caroline Kent; Jeanine Liburd and Kim Paige of BET; gallerists Peg Alston, Mindy Solomon and Fred Snitzer; writer Edwidge Danticat; South Florida cultural leaders Leigh-Ann Buchanan, Adrienne Chadwick, Bonnie Clearwater, Rachelle Salnave, Adeze Wilford….

Proceeds from Art + Soul benefit the Fund and are generously matched by the Knight Foundation. Art + Soul 2023 was presented by Northern Trust and sponsored by Baldwin Richardson Food Co., Celsius Inc., BET Networks, ArentFoxSchiff, Amazon, Green Family Foundation and Commissioner Danielle Cohen Higgins.