The Hammer Museum's seventh annual "Gala in the Garden" this weekend honored contemporary artist Kara Walker and writer Dave Eggers at a sold-out dinner for 535. Jennifer Wells Green, the museum's deputy director of advancement, and David Morehouse, senior manager of donor relations, oversaw the event, and Mitie Tucker produced it. Co-chairs were Ann Moss, Margie Perenchio, and Carole Bayer Sager, along with honorary co-chair Diane Keaton. The ever-growing gala raised $1.3 million—the most in its history—for Hammer exhibitions and programs, beating last year's take of $1.2 million, the previous record.

Hammer director Ann Philbin welcomed guests including Jane Fonda, Susan and Leonard Nimoy, Neil Patrick Harris, Dana Delany, Edythe and Eli Broad, and Jacqui Getty to the party, which began with open galleries as well as cocktails and hors d'oeuvres from chef Suzanne Goin of A.O.C. and Lucques, who once again prepared the gala's menu. Salman Rushdie gave the tribute to Walker, and actor Catherine Keener spoke about Eggers before the gala's traditionally diverse crowd of new and established artists, gallerists, patrons, and cultural and entertainment players.

Projections of the light installation Orbit by Jennifer Steinkamp, which depicts trees changing season, shone in the museum's courtyard; 15/40 handled the lighting and audiovisual and scenic production.

The evening's decor standouts included candles in containers of black sand, black velvet tablecloths, hanging globes, and arrangements of dark purple dahlias, green hydrangeas, and green chrysanthemum from Gileta Design.