Spring Gala 2013

Friends and supporters of ASF gathered together on April 26, 2013, at The Pierre Hotel in New York City, for an evening of dinner, dancing, music, and American–Norwegian friendship at ASF’s Spring Gala. The evening welcomed H.M. Queen Sonja of Norway and also celebrated the opening of Munch | Warhol and the Multiple Image at Scandinavia House. The Spring Gala Co-Chairs were Inger G. Ginsberg, Monika Heimbold, and Lise Stolt-Nielsen. The Vice-Chairs were Jane Erkko, Laureen and Ragnar Meyer-Knutsen, and Arthur Zeckendorf. The Corporate Vice-Chairs were Bo Sonnichsen, CFO, Maersk Line–North America, and Stuart E. Graham, Chairman of the Board, Skanska. The Chair of the ASF Special Events Committee is Linda Nordberg. The evening honored The Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) with the Gold Medal and James Rosenquist with the Cultural Award, which were formally presented by H.M. Queen Sonja.
 
The ASF Gold Medal was presented to MoMA in recognition of its extraordinary efforts to increase the awareness and appreciation of Scandinavian art and design in the United States. The award was accepted by Glenn Lowry, Director of MoMA.

The ASF Cultural Award was presented to James Rosenquist, an American artist of Norwegian and Swedish descent, who was a leading figure in establishing pop art as a movement. Known for his masterful use of abstract painting techniques, he has achieved international acclaim, and his work has been shown throughout the United States, the Nordic countries, and beyond.
 
The Master of Ceremonies for the evening was Margaret Juntwait, radio personality and host of the Metropolitan Opera international radio broadcast. A very special performance by The Collegiate Chorale was led by Ted Sperling, featuring soloists Judy Kaye, Jason Danieley, and Alexandra Silber in selections from Song of Norway, an operetta comprised of the music of Edvard Grieg.
 
This performance was a preview of their concert at Carnegie Hall on April 30, 2013. The evening was capped off with dancing to music by Vince Giordano and the Nighthawks.