CLUB MASTERPIECE: HAVANA NIGHTS CHAIRS
Susan Davey, Debbie Rider and President Carrie O’Brien
Thank you to all who supported this year’s Masterpiece!
On Saturday, August 1, 2026, Patrons of the Prado welcomed 400 guests to One Haute Havana Night—an unforgettable celebration under the stars at the Spreckels Organ Pavilion, and inspired by Cuba’s golden era of glamour, rhythm and romance, all in support of the enduring legacy of Balboa Park.
Each summer, our all-volunteer organization brings the community together for one of
San Diego’s most anticipated benefits, raising vital funds for the educational and cultural institutions along the Prado.
2026 ICON AWARD for Arts & Culture
This year, we were proud to present the 2026 ICON Award for Arts & Culture to Irwin Jacobs, honoring Joan and Irwin Jacobs’ extraordinary generosity to our Balboa Park beneficiaries and their enduring commitment to the cultural vitality of San Diego.
Patrons of the Prado is committed to raising unrestricted funds for these beneficiaries, allowing them the flexibility to address their greatest needs. Over the past 29 years, we have proudly raised over $6.6 million for our beneficiaries including over $1.4 million in support of our Bucks4Buses program, an initiative providing transportation and educational access for San Diego school children to experience the world-class treasures of Balboa Park-many for the first time.
OUR MISSION
Patrons of the Prado is committed to raising funds to benefit arts, science, and cultural centers on the Prado in Balboa Park, and for programs that provide educational access for San Diego County, K-12 school children to the world-class treasures of Balboa Park, inspiring cultural fluency for future generations.
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Patrons of the Prado today!
Over $6 Million Contributed
Since 1997, Patrons of the Prado is pleased to have raised in total contributions over $6 million for our beneficiaries. Patrons of the Prado is committed to raising unrestricted grant funds allowing our beneficiaries the flexibility to address their greatest needs. Our "Bucks4Buses" initiative provides restricted grant funds for transportation and educational access for San Diego school children to experience the world-class treasures of Balboa Park, many for the first time.
Letter from the President of Patrons of the Prado
CARRIE O’BRIEN
It is truly an honor to serve as the 2025-2026 President of Patrons of the Prado. Our organization was founded in 1997 by 4 amazing women including my mother, Barbara McColl, who had a vision for supporting a group of non-profit organizations that were located on the Prado in Balboa Park. This park is one of the largest urban cultural parks in the United States and is a crown jewel of the City of San Diego. It is home of our 9 wonderful beneficiaries: Museum of US, Mingei International Museum, San Diego History Center, Fleet Science Center, San Diego Museum of Art, Timken Museum of Art, San Diego Natural History Museum, The Old Globe, and San Diego Junior Theatre. Patrons has been committed to raising funds to benefit these arts, science and cultural centers and to assist them by providing funds to support their operating activities (unrestricted funds for greatest needs) as well as their educational activities. Our Bucks4Buses program provides educational funds for K-12 students in San Diego as well as to the many visitors to Balboa Park who come from around the world.
Today Patrons is still an all-volunteer organization with 80 members donating their time and resources to raise funds for our treasured beneficiaries. Our signature event is our
MASTERPIECE Gala which will be held this year on Saturday, August 1, 2026. This event has been held in Balboa Park for the past 28 years (virtually in 2020). It has been our pleasure to bring this beautiful evening event to Balboa Park to celebrate together. We thank our amazing sponsors, underwriters, table purchasers and attendees who are all a part of supporting our efforts to raise funds. We hope you will join us this year on August 1, 2026 for another fabulous evening in Balboa Park!!
Sincerely,
Carrie O’Brien
President, Patrons of the Prado
Our work is made possible through the generosity of individuals like you. Your support helps sustain the exceptional programming, conservation efforts, research, education, and more that our beneficiaries provide. Your gift ensures these vital services remain accessible to all San Diegans and allows millions of visitors to experience the transformative power of arts, culture, history, and science.
The legacy institutions of The Prado—pillars of art, culture, and science—depend on our continued support. Thank you for considering a gift and joining us in making a lasting, positive impact on our community.
Thank you for your support!
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To contribute, please send your check to the address below and specify your donor intent:
Greatest Needs Grants or Bucks4Buses Grants
PATRONS OF THE PRADO
c/o Treasurer
P.O. Box 928530
San Diego, CA 92192-8530