On October 14, 2009, El Museo del Barrio hosted a dinner to honor the completion of Phase I of their planned renovation. Guests for the intimate dinner were long time supporters of the museum and included: Ruben and Isabel Toledo; Jane Gregory Rubin; Carmen Ana Unanue; Carolina and Reynoldo Herrera; Tony Bechara; Mary Wallach; Alvaro Domingo (Placido’s son); Philippe de Montebello; Luis Castro; and John and Gaily Beinecke.

Here is a quote from El Museo's website about the renovation: "El Museo de; Barrio...[reopened to the public on] October 17, 2009, with an all-day open house celebrating the launch of the new Carmen Ana Unanue galleries to host its Permanent Collection, its expanded public programs, and our new El Café that will also serve as a multipurpose programming space, bringing a sparkling new face to the Museum Mile's only Latino institution. The reopening also marks the launch of El Museo's 40th Anniversary celebrations, which will continue all year with a rich array of exhibitions, public programming, events, and performances. Upcoming Phase II of the renovation process will include work in El Teatro and the 104th Street lobby of the Heckscher Building."

www.elmuseo.org

Ellen Holtzman, Tony Gebauer and Aura Reinhardt

Reinaldo Herrera, Yaz Hernandez, Carolina Herrera and Valentin Hernandez

Carmen Ana Unanue with Isabel and Ruben Toledo

Raphael Montanez-Ortiz and Monique Ortiz-Arndt

Cheryl Rosario, Rohit Burman and Christine Rhee

Philip and Tracey Riese with Valentin Hernandez

John Beinecke

Tony Bechara and Mary Wallach