Olympia is thrilled to announce CAKE, a one-night-only dessert exhibition taking place on Saturday, June 28th from 6–9 PM. Featuring edible “works” by over 30 artists, the show is an unapologetic celebration of indulgence and subversion—core ingredients to the strictly followed recipe that constitutes our program.

Inspired by the infamous phrase attributed to Marie Antoinette—“Let them eat cake”—the exhibition began as a satirical response to our increasingly sour global sociopolitical landscape. Over time (while preheating the oven), the exhibition evolved into something more luscious, playful, and conceptually layered. CAKE is a celebration of the senses: an invitation to exchange, disrupt, and slice apart the cornerstone structures of viewership, authorship, and commodification.

Each participating artist has created a dessert that reflects their practice—whether through color, texture, process, material (ingredients), or composition. Some draw direct lines between their sculptural or painterly work and their confections; others explore themes of labor, decay, pleasure, and anti-commodification. All works will be professionally photographed before being devoured.

Participating artists include: Alicia Adamerovich, Yura Adams, Cassandra Mayela Allen, Madeline Bach, Hannah Beerman, Heather Benjamin, Wells Chandler, Fung Cheung, Magnet Curry, Emily Davidson, Leah Dixon, Tamara Gonzales, Aisling Hamrogue, Colleen Herman, Stephanie Temma Hier, Eli Hill, Erin Lee Jones, Melissa Joseph, Hein Koh, Lizzy Lunday, Lee Maxey, Cristina de Miguel, Nicole Mourino, Naomi Nakazato, Sarah Nsikak, Keisha Prioleau-Martin, Erika Ranee, Adrianne Rubenstein, Alex Schmidt, Pauline Shaw, Jessica Stoller, Robin F. Williams, and Mie Yim.

In a time when access, abundance, and care are increasingly stratified, CAKE embraces the idea that some beautiful things are meant to disappear. What happens when a gallery becomes a glorified bake sale?

All desserts will be presented with wall labels (with dimensions that will, ideally, crumble). Ingredient lists will be provided, and allergen-conscious options will be available. Participants are encouraged to come hungry—and stay happy.

Following the exhibition, guests are invited to a tea party at Round K Café (78 Canal St, New York, NY 10002) from 9–11 PM.