ICI Gala & Auction

Independent Curators International hosted its annual Fall Benefit and Auction, honoring Uzodinma Iweala and The Africa Center with the 2023 Leo Award, designed by Sanford Biggers and produced by UAP. Guests moved through a layered evening: cocktails among the auction lots, a bespoke dinner by Ayo Balogun of Dept of Culture, and a spirited live auction led by Gabriela Palmieri featuring works by Tammy Nguyen, Elias Sime, and Amoako Boafo.

Our team shaped the experience end-to-end — from venue scouting and design to technical

The night became ICI’s most successful benefit to date, raising over half a million dollars for the Access Fund, which provides scholarships for emerging curators worldwide. The event brought together ICI’s community to celebrate the curators, infrastructures, and cultural dialogue that strengthen art ecosystems across the globe.