San Jose Museum of Art honors Enrique Chagoya at its 2023 Gala + Auction

The San José Museum of Art (SJMA) hosted its 2023 Gala + Auction on September 23 and Enrique Chagoya was celebrated as the artist honoree. SJMA has been a champion of Chagoya’s work for almost three decades through exhibitions, acquisitions, and public programs. SJMA first exhibited Chagoya’s work in the 1997 Eureka Fellow Awards Exhibition. His large-scale charcoal and pastel drawing Their Freedom of Expression...The Recovery of Their Economy (1984) has been featured in three exhibitions at SJMA since entering the collection in 2003 and is currently on view as a stand-alone presentation. His work is also featured in 50X50: Stories of Visionary Artists from the Permanent Collection, a free digital catalog published in honor of the Museum’s 50th Anniversary in 2020.

This year’s patron honorees, Evelyn and Rick Neely, are recognized for their philanthropy as well as Evelyn’s outstanding leadership as long-time Docent and Trustee. Evelyn and Rick Neely’s support and vision has enabled the Museum to serve its community, achieve financial security, and continue presenting programs and exhibitions that foster visual thinking and creative expression.

“The 2023 honorees, Enrique Chagoya and Evelyn and Rick Neely, understand the powerful impact of museums and arts education. We thank them for their dedication to our Museum and for helping us achieve our vision to be a borderless museum,” said S. Sayre Batton, Oshman Executive Director, San José Museum of Art. “The funds raised at the Gala will provide critical support toward our mission to make world-class art and inclusive arts education accessible to visitors from throughout the Bay Area and beyond.”