National Hellenic Museum to Hold Annual Gala in Chicago

The National Hellenic Museum (NHM) will hold its annual gala supporting the museum’s mission to share Greek history, art, culture, and the Greek-American story. The upcoming event will include fine dining, live music, dancing, and a spectacular auction.

The gala will take place on Saturday, September 16th at 6 pm local time at the Marriott Marquis Hotel in Chicago, not far from the National Hellenic Museum itself, which is also based in the city.

The event presents an opportunity for hundreds of Greek-Americans and philhellenes from across the United States and beyond to gather together for a night of philanthropy, celebrating and supporting the lasting and enriching Hellenic legacy.

The National Hellenic Museum Gala scheduled for September 16th

Individual tickets to attend the gala cost $375 and tables of ten are $3,400. Alternative sponsorship options are also available for those wishing to support the National Hellenic Museum’s mission.

Mike Manatos Assumes the role of National Gala Chairman, alongside Gala Regional Co-Chairs Dr. George and Raffaella Bovis, Andrea Darlas, Alex and Kathy Gianaras, and Kenneth and Angela Kondraros. Leading the National Hellenic Museum is Chairman John P. Calamos, Sr.

Black-tie attire is optional and attendees can expect to kick off the evening with cocktails, followed by excellent food, live music, dancing, and an auction.

Last year, the National Hellenic Museum Gala raised over one million dollars. More than 650 civic and cultural leaders joined Philhellenes for the event. The guests of honor in 2022 included former Greek Prince Nikolaos, Consul General Emmanuel Koubarakis, and His Eminence Metropolitan Nathanael of Chicago.

Last year’s event also included an energetic performance from popular Greek singer Thanos Petrelis and a live auction led by auctioneer Keith Jones.

Exhibitions and events

As a part of its raison d’etre, the National Hellenic Museum hosts several fascinating exhibitions and events throughout the year.

On July 21st, the museum opened the “Hellenic Heads” exhibition by artist George Petrides, which features six larger-than-life busts inspired by key periods in Greek history spanning 2,500 years, from antiquity to the present time.

Petrides was named a “globally recognized sculptor” by Forbes (2022). His work can be seen around the world, ranging from public sculptures in Greece and Turkey marking the centennial of the destruction of Smyrna in 1922, to a bronze head in the renovated Tiffany’s flagship store at 727 Fifth Avenue in New York. The exhibition featuring his work will remain open to visitors until December 10th.

The museum also recently hosted the Beyond Antiquity exhibition, which ran between May 12th and August 20th. The exhibition featured the work of Greek-American architect and artist John “Yanni” Fotiadis.

Beyond Antiquity provided a deep dive into the topic of Classical antiquity in Greece, explored through the lenses of architecture, myth, and landscapes. As the name implies, it also explored how these Classical subjects influence the present and future.