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Folger Gala Gets Towering, Springtime Centerpieces

April 19, 2011

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Photo: Pepe Gomez

Spot Floral Design crafted lofty bouquets of budding spring boughs, roses, Bells of Ireland, and even sage for the dinner tables at the Folger Shakespeare Library gala on Wednesday. Mirrors topped the library’s oak tables, along with custom-designed, martini-olive-patterned green linens by Table Manners. “Colors were very important. We started from this year's invitation and chose linens to highlight the colors that spring brings: green and that hint of brown. We then complemented them with bright, happy arrangements of pinks, oranges, and sage green,” said Spot Floral's John Arndt.

This year’s gala raised more donations than any before—a total of $650,000—and saw a record attendance of 350 guests, said Caroline Bedinger, the Folger Shakespeare Library’s director of special events and donor relations.

David Stark also created unique centerpieces for the 2018 Robin Hood benefit, also held at the Javits Center. The event, which had a “Lights of New York” theme, featured three-sided mini marquee centerpieces that offered messages of gratitude and celebrated the organization's anniversary.

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In September, Blueprint Studios designed and produced the San Francisco Opera’s Centennial Celebration Gala. At the arrival reception and dinner, an indigo and goldenrod color palette found in the table linens and flatware was especially striking. The team at the San Francisco-based event production company also used a mix of periodic textiles such as velvet, leather, crystal, mirror, and ostrich plumes throughout. See more: Over-the-Top Design Inspiration From Two of San Francisco's Most Swoon-Worthy Galas

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