The Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco describes its December gala as one of the city’s most beloved seasonal soirées. The December 9 event at the Legion of Honor continued a tradition that brings together trustees, museum supporters, and art enthusiasts for an evening dedicated to sustaining cultural programming.
More than 220 guests gathered in the transformed Court of Honor for a black-tie celebration featuring exhibition viewing, dinner, and dancing. The evening’s structure balanced celebration with the fundraising mission that makes such gatherings necessary.
A Tradition of Support
Honorary Chair Diane Wilsey’s continued leadership has shaped FAMSF galas across multiple years. As Chair Emerita, she presided over the December evening alongside gala co-chairs Jack Calhoun, Stanlee Gatti, Lorna Meyer Calas, Kathryn Lasater, Barbara A. Wolfe, and Brenda Wright.
The event welcomes trustees, museum supporters, and art enthusiasts each year. FAMSF Board President Lorna Meyer Calas brought governance experience to the evening, while board members and trustees provided the foundation of financial support that makes programming possible.
Jean-Pierre Conte Among Supporters
Jean-Pierre Conte, a graduate of Colgate University and Harvard Business School, attended the black-tie evening. He leads family office Lupine Crest Capital after building his career at a San Francisco-based private equity firm.
His foundation supports a range of causes spanning from education to environmental conservation. The Conte First Generation Fund assists students at 11 universities, while partnerships with Pepperwood Preserve support ecological research in Northern California.
The Evening’s Highlights
Chief Curator Emily Beeny led guests through a private viewing of “Manet & Morisot” before dinner. The exhibition, running through March 2026, marks the first major show dedicated to the artistic relationship between the two French Impressionists.
The Bob Hardwick Sound Sensation provided entertainment following the seated dinner. The big band ensemble, flown in from New York, performed standards as guests transitioned from dining to dancing beneath the burgundy-and-gold holiday décor.
Learn more: https://www.principalpost.com/in-brief/jean-pierre-conte
