NATIONAL HELLENIC MUSEUM RAISES NEARLY $1MILLION AT 2026 GALA
An evening of celebration and support to advance the Museum’s mission to share Greek history, art, culture, and the Greek American story
Nearly 600 people gathered at the Hilton Chicago on September 26, 2026, for the National Hellenic Museum’s (NHM) Gala, raising close to $980,000 in support of the museum's mission to share Greek history, art, culture, and the Greek American story. Emceed by NBC 5 anchor Alex Maragos, the evening included a special performance from renowned Greek artist Giorgos Tsalikis, generously sponsored by Mr. and Mrs. Ernest C. Karras, and John and Martha Cannis.
During the event, Chairman John P. Calamos, Sr., 2026 Gala Chair and Vice-Chairman Jim Logothetis, and Executive Director Marianne Kountoures spoke about the Museum’s role as an important institution that preserves and shares Greek history, art, and culture and the Greek American story through its collections, archives, oral histories, exhibitions, programs, and cultural partnerships.
“The gala celebrates Greek heritage, but it also looks ahead,” said Jim Logothetis. “Our parents and grandparents came to America and built churches, schools, and other institutions to preserve the culture they carried across the ocean. The Museum is one of those bridges between what they gave us and what we must pass on.”
The Museum brings all generations and cultures together to engage with Greek history through exhibitions such as the newly opened The Odyssey Reimagined, which brings together 16 contemporary artists’ interpreting Homer’s Odyssey through painting, sculpture, photography, textiles, and sound.
“The Gala supports the important work of the Museum in creating a vibrant public square to share Greek history across all generations and cultures and inviting people to bring their perspectives to discover the ties that bind us together,” said Marianne Kountoures.
The museum extends its thanks to all donors, sponsors, guests, and volunteers who made the evening possible.
