We invite you to join us Thursday, November 19th at Ballroom Marfa’s 2026 Gala, an enchanting evening surrounded by food, art, music, and surprises in the Ballroom Marfa spirit at the Cathedral of St. John the Divine. With delight and gratitude, we will honor Pulitzer Prize-winning wartime photographer and photojournalist Lynsey Addario, singer-songwriter Lyle Lovett, and visionary leader and Ballroom Board Member Anne‑Cecilie Engell Speyer. The gala will feature an auction and performances by the Marching Cobras Drumline & Danceline and special musical guests.
We hope you will join us in celebrating Ballroom Marfa.
For more information contact development@ballroommarfa.org.
2026 Gala Honorees
Lynsey Addario
Lynsey Addario is a Pulitzer Prize-winning wartime photographer and photojournalist whose images have shaped global understanding of conflict, resilience, and the human condition. Addario has spent more than two decades documenting crises across the world—from Afghanistan and Iraq to Libya, Sudan, and Ukraine—with unparalleled courage and an unwavering moral clarity. Her work not only captures history but insists on our shared humanity, reminding us why bearing witness matters.
Lyle Lovett
An iconic American singer-songwriter, Lyle Lovett’s singular voice and genre-defying artistry have left an indelible mark on American music. Lovett’s career—spanning country, folk, jazz, and big-band traditions—has helped define the Texas cultural landscape for more than forty years, and his enduring creativity continues to inspire audiences across generations.
Anne-Cecilie Engell Speyer
Anne-Cecilie Engell Speyer is a visionary leader whose work bridges the worlds of business, culture, and philanthropy. After building her career in marketing and advertising at Calvin Klein, Donna Karan, and Iconix Brand Group, she co‑founded NSL (Never Stop Learning), a reimagined speakers bureau that fosters thoughtful, curiosity-driven conversations with artists, thinkers, and cultural leaders. As CEO of NSL and President of the Board of Trustees at the Whitney Museum of American Art, Anne-Cecilie also serves on the boards of The Michael J. Fox Foundation and Friends of Statens Museum for Kunst.
For 15 years, Anne-Cecilie has brought exceptional insight and vision to the Board of Ballroom Marfa, strengthening the organization through her commitment to nurturing ideas and fostering authentic exchange.