Where wonder took us at the 2026 PEM Gala

How do you manufacture wonder? That was the question facing me as PEM’s Director of Donor Engagement and Events. Planning the annual gala isn’t only about coordinating a formal dinner and a fantastic after-party; it’s also about transforming the entire museum into a magical setting for discovery, joy and deep community connection. After 16 years at the helm, I’ve learned that the stakes never get smaller — and neither does the ambition. Backed by a powerhouse Gala Committee brimming with imagination, on November 7, we opened the doors on Where Wonder Takes Us: An Evening Beyond Time and Place.

The gala is essential to advancing the museum’s vision: to create an engaging, welcoming gathering place where everyone can discover, learn and connect through experiences that spark wonder, inspire joy and invite contemplation. From the moment our guests arrived, they let curiosity guide them to explore PEM in new and familiar ways. As a nod to the navigational, globe-trotting parts of our history that inspired this year’s gala, attendees were given a compass to explore an interactive gallery adventure following a custom map designed especially for the gala by artist and committee member Rachel Perry. (Look for Perry’s upcoming solo exhibition New Forms at the Cape Ann Museum in 2027.) Guests charted a course between surprise musical performances, familiar exhibitions and new one-night-only art installations, sprinkled throughout the museum. The idea was to follow your compass, trust your map and let the party lead you somewhere unexpected. And if the compass seemed off course, well, that was just the magnetic pull of something exciting happening nearby!

This year had the usual lineup of exciting, bespoke experiences up for auction, donated by a generous array of committee members, partners and local businesses. Guests enjoyed bidding on a custom clockmaking experience with Chelsea Clock Co., a curator-led luxury trip across Japan, a jewelry design experience with Salem’s Jenni Stuart and a variety of other prizes. 

And I can’t leave out the annual paddle raise, which raised $200,000 toward PEM’s mission. By bidding on exciting auction items donated by our supporters, these generous museum lovers committed to help raise spirits and fuel PEM’s future. Their contributions allow our extraordinary museum to continue to inspire curiosity, spark creativity, build connections and tell new stories. Their generosity helps make possible groundbreaking exhibitions, transformative civic engagement programs and unforgettable experiences that open minds, strengthen communities and make a lasting difference for all.

During the dinner and auction, we were thrilled to honor a couple who have displayed extraordinary leadership and an unwavering commitment to PEM. Through their generosity, vision and passion for the museum’s mission, Tim and Joanie Ingraham have helped advance PEM’s impact across many areas, including the East India Marine Associates, the Art & Nature Center, maritime art and the Phillips Library. Their dedication fuels discovery, inspires connections and strengthens PEM’s ability to engage our community through art, culture and creativity. We proudly celebrated their remarkable legacy and the difference they continue to make.

Another memorable activation was brought to us by the duo of digital/analog artists called Outerspace Collective, based on one of PEM’s most beloved collection objects. In 1820, Salem encountered its first king penguin brought from the Falkland Islands; today, PEM visitors have grown to love the slightly oddball, stretched-out bird made by a taxidermist who had never seen a penguin in real life. But for onlookers in the 1820s, that bird was a glimpse of a world larger and stranger than anyone knew. That’s what Outerspace Collective was going for: Enveloped in a nature-inspired soundscape, guests gazed at a large penguin mobile made of reflective surfaces floating in the center, with a blend of stars, clouds, water and people captured from an overhead camera. It became the perfect meeting point for the evening. 

Whether you like to spend the whole night on the dance floor, or enjoy the enchantment of wandering through your favorite museum after dark, the PEM Gala is always a night to remember. Thanks to all who joined the celebration, helping drive our mission forward — your generosity and commitment makes everything we do here at PEM possible.

Were you unable to attend the gala this year? Make a contribution to support PEM! This contribution is fully tax deductible.