DACO GALA

A heartfelt thank you from the Executive Director:

〰️

A heartfelt thank you from the Executive Director: 〰️

Photo courtesy of Lindsay Berndt

Wow — what a way to celebrate 25 years! The Decorative Arts Center of Ohio's 2026 Gala, Enduring Legacy, brought together art, community, and creativity for an unforgettable milestone evening, and it simply wouldn't have happened without YOU!

Between the show-stopping runway, live jazz from the Steve Cox Jazz Quartet, the Veranda Exhibition The Making of Couture, and the warmth of everyone who came out to celebrate with us, this year's gala captured exactly why we do what we do.

We want to take a moment to thank the people and partners who made this quarter-century celebration possible:

  • Our sponsors — led by Park National Bank as our Runway Sponsor, alongside Claypool Electric, Rhonemus Cellars, and Johnathan & Patricia Smith as our Cocktail Sponsors, and every business and community partner who invested in DACO's mission

  • Our fashion designers — Tracy Powell, Aspen Grazier, Logan Baldauf, Kaia Armstrong, and Casey Immel-Brown — whose imagination turned the runway into a work of art

  • Our Fashion Show Producer, Celeste Malvar-Stewart — whose vision and leadership brought the entire show to life

  • Our models, hair & makeup team, and photographers — who brought each look to its full, camera-ready shine

  • Amanda Everitt, our fantastic emcee, and Moxy Martinez, our runway show DJ, for keeping the night moving with energy and style

  • Gay Fad Studios, our glassware partner — a special thank-you, since their beautiful pieces aren't just for one night; you can find and take home Gay Fad glassware anytime in the DACO Museum Shop

  • Our caterers, florists, and event partners — Kater2You, Nothing Bundt Cakes, Reynoldsburg Bakery, Three Dog Blooms, Party Plus, and Gather and Grain Events — for every detail of food, flowers, and flow

  • Our volunteers and DACO docents — the tireless behind-the-scenes crew who made the evening run without a hitch

  • And you, our guests — your presence, generosity, and enthusiasm are what make this event, and DACO's mission, possible

Congratulations to everyone who took home a silent auction or raffle item — thank you for supporting our work through your bids and tickets!

We were also honored to present this year’s Mary Josephine "Jo" Voss Award to Lisa Kessler this year, recognizing outstanding dedication to DACO, the arts, and our community.

If you attended (or if you've never been and want to see what the event is all about), here are some photos from the Flickr 2026 album. Don't forget to tag your own favorite moments with #DACOgala so we can share on our social media pages! Check out the highlights from this year’s gala in the video below.

Twenty-five years of art, community, and creativity — and we're just getting started. From all of us at DACO, thank you for being part of this milestone, and we can't wait to celebrate with you again next summer at the 2027 DACO Gala on July 10!

- Jason Crabill

Beautiful cause, real impact.

The DACO Gala is Central Ohio's premier fundraising celebration, hosted annually by the Decorative Arts Center of Ohio in historic Lancaster. Each year, guests come together for an unforgettable evening of runway fashion, curated art, live entertainment, and inspired dining — all in support of a meaningful cause. Every ticket, sponsorship, and bid directly fuels DACO's mission, funding arts education programs, community outreach, and free access to the arts for thousands of Ohioans each year. It's more than a party — it's a night where style and generosity come together to shape the future of the arts in our community.

  • The DACO Gala is an unforgettable night of runway fashion, curated art, live music, and exceptional dining — all set within the inspiring galleries of the Decorative Arts Center of Ohio. Past events have featured local designers, live and silent auctions, and one-of-a-kind experiences you won't find anywhere else. Mark your calendar — details for next year's Gala, including date, theme, and ticket information, will be announced soon. Want to be the first to know? Join our mailing list, or follow us on social media!

  • Every Gala directly funds DACO's mission: bringing arts education, hands-on programming, and free community access to thousands of Ohioans each year. From school partnerships to public exhibitions, your support at the Gala — and throughout the year — helps ensure the arts remain accessible to everyone in our community, regardless of background or ability to pay. When you attend, sponsor, or donate, you're not just supporting one night — you're investing in the next generation of artists and art lovers in Central Ohio.

  • You don't have to wait for next year's Gala to make an impact. Your donation today helps DACO continue its educational programs, community events, and exhibitions year-round. Consider becoming a Gala sponsor, purchasing tickets early when they become available, or making a tax-deductible gift right now to support the arts in Lancaster and beyond. If you’re making a donation for the Gala, please let us know in the comments.

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