The Rye Arts Center (RAC) will honor Shami and Anand Kini, Lynn Mara and The Ground Glass at its annual Studio 51 Spring Benefit on Friday, May 8, 2026. Last year’s benefit drew over 300 guests and raised a record $320,000.
Inspired by ‘Studio 54’, the annual benefit will celebrate Shami and Anand Kini, receiving the Champion of the Arts Award for their decades of leadership, generosity, and enduring commitment; Lynn Mara, receiving the Visionary Artist Award for her bold creativity and inspiring engagement with the community; and, debuting this year, the first-ever Mosaic Award goes to The Ground Glass, honoring 50 years of collective artistry, mentorship, and lasting impact on Rye’s creative life.
The Ground Glass members include many photographers who contribute to MyRye.com’s Art of Rye series, including JoAnn Cancro, Stacey Massey and Markus Peters.
“Studio 51 is more than a celebration. It’s a powerful reminder of what the arts make possible,” said Adam Levi, executive director of The Rye Arts Center. “This year’s honorees embody the spirit of creativity, generosity, and community that sustains our work every day. Their leadership and artistry help ensure that the arts remain a vital force that sparks imagination, opens doors, and shapes lives in ways that ripple far beyond this moment.”
The RAC’s benefit will feature food by Marcia Selden Catering and a live performance by Unforgettable Fire, a U2 tribute band. NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport and Kyle Brandt return as masters of ceremony. A live auction will raise additional funds for RAC arts-education programs, scholarships and outreach initiatives.Tickets go on sale on March 24.
