St. Louis Sparkled for the 2026 CAM Gala
The Contemporary Art Museum St. Louis (CAM) gathered its most brilliant supporters for Spark: CAM's 2026 Gala on Friday, April 17 at the 21c Museum Hotel St. Louis. Spark guests generously raised their paddles during the Fund the Need auction to ensure continued support of beloved CAM programs and resources such as New Art in the Neighborhood, guided tours, youth transportation, Resident Teaching Artist honorariums, Artist Talks, and Family Days. The event generated over $415,000, making it one of the most successful events in CAM’s history—and keeping CAM free and accessible to all.
This year's theme, Spark, commemorated the ways art serves as a beacon of creativity, imagination, and possibility across the St. Louis region. Guests arrived dressed to dazzle in shimmering cocktail attire, lighting up the night with every sparkling entrance. The night began with cocktails and mingling before guests moved into a seated dinner. CAM Executive Director Lisa Melandri set the tone for the evening, highlighting art as the spark that lives within all of us and CAM’s positive, lasting impact on the St. Louis community. Gala Chairs Jane and Bob Clark welcomed guests with genuine enthusiasm, recognizing the evening’s sponsors and supporters who made the night possible. Before the evening fully ignited, CAM paused to honor the memory of Emeritus Board Member John H. Ferring IV who died in March 2026. Honorary Gala Chairs Alexis M. Cossé and Erik Karanik also took the stage. Cossé has served on CAM's Board of Directors for over 15 years, and together with Karanik, they have been among the Museum’s most devoted and visionary champions. The Fund the Need auction was led by local journalist Chelsea Haynes, whose radiant charm and irrepressible energy inspired a robust, joyful moment of giving, igniting a spark that will glow for years to come. As the clock struck 9:00 pm, guests made their way to the Spark Lounge—where the night continued to glow over nightcaps and the luminous sounds of local saxophonist Rhoda G.
