The panels, each 10 feet high and 4 to 12 feet long, had white wainscoting on the bottom and dark wood on top. Some of the panels also had large faux windows covered in fabric and backed with blue light to replicate a view of water. The zoo’s graphic artist also created six pieces of framed art inspired by the works of Erté, an artist popular in the early 1900s, to hang throughout the room.
Table decor was minimal and elegant. “We had fairly simple centerpieces with white spray roses because we didn’t want to have something too modern or too elaborate,” Soda said. White linens from Connie Duglin Linens topped rectangular tables surrounded by silver Chiavari chairs from PKS Rentals. At the center of each table, organizers draped strands of clear crystals from 18-inch silver candelabras. In addition to the candlelight, organizers hung seven antique-looking chandeliers from the ceiling, including a large one in the center made of Murano glass.
For the gala’s silent auction, the event team rented a backdrop from Kenmark that looked like the outside of a cruise ship. In front of it they created an African market atmosphere using burlap linens and grass huts to display the 78 auction items.
Organizers are still totaling the proceeds, but they expect to exceed last year’s total of $150,000 due in part to slightly higher attendance—320 this year compared with 305 in 2010.
