The second celebration of relationships gone bad, Back in Black: The Return of the Black Hearts Ball, at Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art drew a crowd of more than 400 for the anti-Valentine’s Day festivities onFeb. 15.
The tonguein-cheek bitter bash was part of Artinfusion, the museum’s young patrons program for professionals aged 21-40. An artproject station gave jilted guests the opportunity to create “Evil Ex Dolls” (think voodoo dolls), using markers, yarn and other media, and of course, pins. Fortune cookies promised dark futures, such as, “You will die poorly dressed.”
A silent disco, first debuted at the museum’s New Year’s Eve celebration, made a very successful return. The lower lobby was the dance floor where guests were given headphones, all playing the same groove for dancing, then when people wished to talk, they could do so without yelling at each other.
Those nursing broken hearts with a touch of levity (or helping others do so) included Tina and Jeff Winham, Molly and Ben Blakeman, Anna and Carl George, Jordan Garner, Whitney Yoder, Kristy Reed and Aaron Bleidt.
Mary Lou Retton was joined by more than 500 guests at the sold-out Winter Luncheon hosted by The Network of Executive Women Northwest Arkanasas on Feb. 20 at the John Q. Hammons Center in Rogers.
The Olympic gold-medalist and now mom of four daughters, encouraged guests to Go for the Gold: Using Your Competitive Edge by sharing some of the strategies that helped her become a champion.
The national networking group’s mission is to “attract, retain and advance women in the retail and consumer products industry.” The local organization, chartered just three years ago with 67 founding members, now boasts more than 700 members in Northwest Arkansas.
Those going for the gold included Kim Tisdale, Alicia New, Kim Griffith, Jessi Cole, Linda Richards, Sarah Rack, Amber Kramer, Heather Mason, Paula Hornbaker and Lori Brown.
The Northwest Arkansas Wine Opener to benefit the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation of Arkansas recorded a vintage year with the Feb. 21 fundraiser at the Hammons Center. The seventh annual event saw more than 1,100 guests who helped the nonprofit organization raise some $230,000.
Next up for the foundation will be the Fayetteville Great Strides and Bentonville Great Strides walks April 5 and May 3, respectively.
Among those championing the foundation were Katie and Jason Fremstad, Susana and Louis Greth, Charlotte and Chip Stacy, Michelle and Mike McFadden, John Lankas, Chris Harlow, Mark Freudenberger, Robin Griffin and Jennifer Jones.
AT A GLANCEBack in Black: The Return of the Black Hearts Ball Who: Crystal Bridges artinfusion What: The anti-Valentine’s Day event drew record crowds When: Feb. 15 Where: Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art in Bentonville Information: (479) 418-5728 or crystalbridges.org Winter Luncheon with Mary Lou Retton Who: Network of Executive WomenNorthwest Arkansas What: Local networking group now boasts more than 700 members When: Feb. 20 Where: John Q. Hammons Center in Rogers Information: newonline.org Wine Opener Who: Cystic Fibrosis Foundation of Arkansas What: The seventh annual wine tasting fundraiser raised a projected $220,000.
When: Feb. 21 Where: John Q. Hammons Center Information: (479) 799-3206 or [email protected]Columnist Carin Schoppmeyer can be reached by email at [email protected].
Northwest Profile, Pages 33 on 03/02/2014