| EVENT REPORT 05.18.09 4:45 PM |
PRINT | SEND TO A FRIEND |
|
| Art Class |
| For its annual gala, the Phillips Collection avoided damage issues by rehanging 30 percent of the paintings, which also inspired the art-themed decor. |
|
On Friday night, the Phillips Collection transformed for its annual gala, turning each of its major galleries into decked-out dining rooms. Washington notables such as Supreme Court Justices Ruth Bader Ginsburg and Samuel Alito and ambassadors from Spain, Japan, and Switzerland, among others, were in attendance, joining the 400-some guests for an evening of sustainable dining and late-night dancing, while raising dollars for the museum’s youth programs.
“Our thought was to make the educational programs the centerpiece of the event,” said Phillips director of special events Keith Costas. So escort cards included information on how the gala’s $520,000 proceeds will bring more than 4,000 students to the Phillips. Also, in place of standard giveaways, each setting included a handmade thank-you card from a child who had been affected by the Phillips (in addition to a complimentary year membership). The idea, for Costas, was to continually remind the guests of the evening’s purpose. |
|
CONTINUED > |
|
|
PHOTO GALLERY |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 | After the dinner, volunteers rebuilt the towering centerpieces into smaller arrangements and delivered them to a medical center.
Photo: Tony Brown/Imijination Photography for BizBash |
|
|
|
|
Of course dining amid the museum’s collection also offered a rare opportunity. To ensure the collection's safety, Costas collaborated with the conservation and curatorial staffs to reorganize the artworks. “We rehung about 30 percent of the galleries to accommodate the gala, so there wouldn’t be any issues or damage,” he said. “Each one of the rooms was also decorated in harmony with the works of art hanging in those galleries.”
Certain spaces instantly revealed their inspiration, such as one gallery with blue-and-gold checkered linens set near a classic Mondrian. Or the Mantle Room, where many of the evening’s V.I.P.s were seated and which included tables topped with baby blue linens accented by rich brown swirls to complement the dark wood paneling, brightened by tall glass cylinders filled with blossoms in pink, green and yellow.
For the menu, Costas worked with Occasions Caterers to source local and organic ingredients, culminating in Chesapeake Bay crab, wild shrimp, and day boat scallop salads; rosemary and corn madeleines; grass-fed veal loin with porcini mushroom sauce topped with enoki mushroom tempura; and a fondue of organic vegetables. To emphasize these careful choices, each source for the menu was also listed in the program.
And to add an element of recycling, a dozen or so volunteers came in after the dinner and rebuilt each towering centerpiece into more than 60 smaller arrangements and delivered them the following day to the V.A. Medical Center. At the same time, buses transported guests over to the Anderson House for the after-party, which featured the Glenn Pearson orchestra and artist-inspired cocktails such as Lautrec Green Fairy Absinthe and Renoir Champagne Cocktail.
—Danielle O'Steen
RELATED TOPICS
Phillips Collection
MORE EVENT REPORT STORIES
Microsoft Introduces Windows 7 With Cute Kid, Product Vignettes
Shriver's Women's Conference Adds Second Day of Programming—Plus a Step-and-Repeat—for 25,000 in Attendance
Fairies, Towering Trees, Roller Skaters Amp Up Harman Center Gala
Volkswagen Party Launches Car and Its iPhone App Counterpart
Women in Real Estate Celebrate 30th Anniversary With Under the Sea Theme
MORE STORIES ABOUT PHILLIPS COLLECTION
Washington's Top Benefits 2009
Phillips Collection Takes Gala Decor Colors From Paintings
Phillips Goes for Old Hollywood Look
| More Suppliers/Venues to Consider |
ADVERTISEMENT |
|
|
|
Smithsonian Institution's National Air and Space Museum
The National Air and Space Museum is the Smithsonian Institution's museum of aviation and space history. The museum's National Mall Building boasts the most dazzling array of flying machines ever assembled in one place and has long been distinguished as one of Washington's premier event sites. More >>
EMAIL THIS RESOURCE |
|
Autograph Store Charity Fundraising
Autograph Store Charity Fundraising is a charity fund-raising company serving at the pleasure of more than 1,200 charities and nonprofits worldwide to help them raise money via charity auctions. Autograph Store Charity Fundraising's mission is focused on helping charities and nonprofits exceed their fund-raising goals at their charity auctions, galas, dinners, and benefits with zero risk to the organization through a myriad of authentic, hand-signed entertainment and music collectibles. More >>
EMAIL THIS RESOURCE |
|
Event Tech
Setting the standard for more than 22 years, Event Tech offers full production services and equipment rentals to the special events, entertainment, and trade show industries. No matter the location or project size, Event Tech meets the needs of its clients through the use of the latest in audio, lighting, power distribution, staging and rigging, and video switching and projection technologies, and is supported by some of the industry’s leading professionals. More >>
EMAIL THIS RESOURCE |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
