Nearly 800 guests navigated an 1,800-square-foot mirror maze — the latest exhibition at the Museum of Science and Industry (5700 S. Lake Shore) — at the institution’s 34th annual Columbian Ball Oct. 11. The stunning fête, hosted by chairs Liz and Kent Dauten and Denise and Matt Gibson, honorary co-chairs Mayor Rahm Emanuel and Amy Rule and emcee Bill Kurtis, featured a display of MSI’s Science Achiever teens’ projects and a live auction with items including tickets to the Emmy Awards and a trip to Lake Placid. Following dinner, former Paramount Pictures CEO Sherry Lansing received the Excellence in Education Award for her outstanding philanthropy and leadership in education. The night concluded with live entertainment from Maggie Speaks, and raised a total of $2.1 million, which will support the museum’s educational programs, exhibits and experiences.

Splash was the media sponsor of this event. The Sun-Times Foundation and the Chicago Community Trust will match every dollar donated to the Museum of Science and Industry, up to a total of $50,000. Up to $1,000 can be matched per individual donation. 

Photos by Ramzi Dreessen, J.B. Spector and Alison Neidt Toonen

John and Rita Canning and Pat and David Mosena

Sherry Lansing

Olympic champion Shani Davis

Science achievers

Mike and Daisie Siska

Laurie and Matt Schachman

Kyle and Ashley Williams and Shirley and Walter Massey

Guests gather downstairs after the dinner.

The exterior of the MSI, lit up for the gala

Co-chairs Matt and Denise Gibson

Co-chairs Kent and Liz Dauten

Cedric Thurman with Valerie Corr Hanserd and Robert Hanserd

Bill Kurtis

Gary and Cheryl Rabine

Chaoran Jin and Lauren Barry