Art aficionados and benefactors gathered en masse at Cipriani 42nd Street for this year’s Museum of Arts and Design (MAD) “Visionaries!” gala. The benefit raised an impressive $1.2 mil for the Museum, which collects and displays objects in ceramics, glass, fiber, metal, and wood that “honor innovation in art, craft, and design.”

MAD paid tribute to four visionaries for their contributions to their fields and their efforts to establish new standards of excellence. Event co-chair Stephen Ross presented MAD’s 2004 Corporate Award to Kenneth Himmel, president and CEO of Related Urban Development, who has recently developed the new Time Warner Center, the museum’s soon-to-be neighbor (after its 2007 move). Museum chair Barbara Tober honored glass artist and educator Lino Tagliapietra with a Lifetime Achievement Award. And MAD Director Holly Hotchner presented a Lifetime Achievement Award to internationally renowned designers Lella and Massimo Vignelli.

Actor, dancer, and painter Geoffrey Holder told the “elegant and sassy crowd” that “museums are playgrounds for adults!” Adding style and glamour: Nan and Gay Talese, Barbara de Portago, Nurit Kahane Haase, Jo Hallingby, Emily Fisher Landau, Jack Lenor Larsen, John and Margo Catsimatidis, Lillian Vernon, Patricia and David Specter, Bill and Nancy O’Shaughnessy, Donald and Beth Siskind, and Melissa and Jason Twomey. Designing individuals with exquisite taste!