BOSTON — More than 500 guests attended the Boston Arts Academy Foundation’s 2023 gala that honored two-time Academy Award winner and Springfield native Ruth E. Carter; Lifetime Achievement Award – Treasurer Deborah Goldberg, Massachusetts State Treasurer and Receiver General; Dance Honoree – Keenan Cooks, choreographer to the stars; Fashion Honoree – Brazilian-American fashion designer, Sinesia Karol; Visual Art Honoree – Bill Brett, award-winning photojournalist. Music Honoree – Panos Panay, president of the Recording Academy. He also established the Berklee Institute for Creative Entrepreneurship, empowering aspiring musicians with the tools for success; TV + Film Honoree – Award-winning writer, producer & director, Kasi Lemmons. Lemmons is one of the most powerful voices of our time; Civic Responsibility Honoree – global biotechnical company, Vertex Pharmaceuticals. Vertex invests heavily in scientific innovation to create transformative medicines for people with serious diseases.

The event was the capstone to Boston Arts Academy’s (BAA) 25th anniversary year and raised more than $2.5 million. BAA Honors 2023 featured a weekend of celebration: Boston Arts Academy Foundation’s major event of the year on October 14 at the InterContinental Hotel and a brunch featuring a series of special guest musical performances and a fashion show on October 15. Each year the Boston Arts Academy Foundation recognizes several honorees for their artistic and philanthropic achievements at BAA Honors.

From social media: @billbrettboston Bill was on cloud nine as he accepted the Visual Arts Award from the Boston Arts Academy at the InterContinental Hotel this weekend. His son, Tim, shares a moment of congratulations.

@BostonArtsAcademyFoundation: The BAA issued a special thank you to the night’s emcee, Ruth Carter, our co-chairs, Katherine Chapman Stemberg and Bill Schnoor, and to all of our incredible honorees, Panos Panay, Kasi Lemmons, Vertex Pharmaceuticals, Treasurer Deborah Goldberg, Bill Brett, Keenan Cooks, and Sinesia Karol. Further, thank you to all of our sponsors, supporters, friends, family, and community members for making #Honors2023 so meaningful.

All photos by Michael Blanchard