DALLAS, TX.- On Saturday evening, October 27, the 20th annual TWO x TWO for AIDS and Art benefit dinner and contemporary art auction raised a record $9.3 million with funds benefiting amfAR, The Foundation for AIDS Research, and the Dallas Museum of Art.

Five hundred people attended the sold-out black-tie event, chaired by noted philanthropist, art patron and longtime TWO x TWO supporter Tim Headington, Founder and CEO, Headington Companies, and hosted annually by Cindy and Howard Rachofsky at their home, The Rachofsky House.

“TWO x TWO is extremely grateful to our friends far and near who have been part of this monumental and cherished 20-year history. The generosity and commitment of our artists, gallerists and supporters to this event is unparalleled in today’s fundraising communities. Our donating artists and galleries around the world, our corporate sponsors, our volunteers, our dear friends and collectors from Dallas and across the nation, have together raised $84 million for amfAR and the Dallas Museum of Art,” said Howard Rachofsky, who along with his wife, Cindy, founded the event.

The 2018 TWO x TWO fundraising total was announced Sunday morning by Mr. Rachofsky.

The annual black-tie gala, part of a week-long series of events, is the largest U.S. fundraiser for amfAR and the Dallas Museum of Art. Since its inception, TWO x TWO for AIDS and Art has raised over $84 million in support of essential AIDS research at amfAR and for the Contemporary Art Acquisitions Fund at the Dallas Museum of Art. Presenting Sponsor for the Saturday evening gala was Cadillac.

The Gala evening was designed by Todd Fiscus of TODD Events, who designed the interior of the Freedome, a 7,000-square-foot geodesic dome which stands 48 feet tall in the center, to celebrate 20 years of TWO x TWO. Utilizing the tent interiors as a projectable surface, the design changed every three minutes to reflect the theme of that year’s TWO x TWO experience.

The night began with a Moët Hennessy USA, Tequila Casa Dragones, Dom Pérignon and Belvedere cocktail reception and an art and luxury item silent auction, sponsored by Neiman Marcus, followed by a seated, multi-course dinner.

Guests entered the tent as actor, singer and longtime TWO x TWO supporter Alan Cumming sang a medley of cabaret songs, recognized the sponsors and introduced featured performer, the legendary Diana Ross. She had the crowd on their feet dancing and singing along to her biggest hits.

Cindy and Howard Rachofsky with Tim Headington thanked the guests, gallerists and artists who have generously donated to the 20 years of TWO x TWO success.

William H. Roedy, Chairman of the Board, amfAR, presented Dana Schutz with amfAR’s 2018 Award of Excellence for Artistic Contributions to the Fight Against AIDS.

Katherine Brodbeck, The Nancy and Tim Hanley Assistant Curator of Contemporary Art at the Dallas Museum of Art, spoke about artist Dana Schutz and her noted body of work.

“We gratefully thank Dana Schutz. She is an outstanding and thoughtful artist and an amazing hero for her generosity and support of amfAR and tonight’s TWO x TWO gala,” said Mr. Roedy.

Melissa Ireland, TWO x TWO Director, announced a new award named The Cindy and Howard Rachofsky Visionary Fund, created in honor of the Rachofskys many years of dedication to TWO x TWO. The fund will be used to support special initiatives outside of the annual fundraising efforts for TWO x TWO. The focus will be on nurturing artist relationships and identifying projects to further the vision of TWO x TWO.

There were 158 works of art offered in the live and silent auctions this year as well as a number of luxury, experiential packages including a trip to the Oscars and tickets to the Vanity Fair party as well as a Napa wine country trip hosted by famed restaurateur and Chef Thomas Keller and Casa Dragones co-founder Bertha González Nieves.

The live auction, presented by the Ron and Maryellen Spears Foundation, was conducted by Oliver Barker, Chairman, Sotheby’s Europe, Senior International Specialist, Contemporary Art. The live auction featured “Beat Out the Sun” by 2018 amfAR honoree Dana Schutz.

An after party, presented by Compass, rocked the back garden of The Rachofsky House till the early hours of Sunday morning.