Close Encounter at the Whitney

NEW YORK—A bevy of Hollywood and art-world superstars partied at the Whitney Museum of American Art’s swanky 2007 Gala and Studio Party, which honored the artist Chuck Close, on October 22. A sumptuous dinner and a performance of Philip Glass’s “A Musical Portrait of Chuck Close” by the pianist Bruce Levingston were part of the festivities, sponsored by Swiss fashion house Akris, followed by a night of dancing.

Artist attendees included Close, Don Gummer (who also was a co-chairman of the gala), and Jeff Koons.

Museum of Modern Art president emerita Agnes Gund also was there, along with Whitney director Adam Weinberg. We also spotted high-profile collectors Leonard Lauder and Alberto Mugrabi.

A cadre of designers came, too, including the jewelry designer David Yurman and fashion maven Vera Wang.

From Hollywood, Kyra Sedgwick and Meryl Streep served as co-chairwomen of the event. Candace Bergen and Fran Drescher also made appearances.