Champagne and chocolates are said to cure many ills. (Can't hurt, right?) In the case of the Jackson L. Graves Foundation, the pairing helped the nonprofit organization raise more than $20,000 at the seventh annual Ooh! La, La! benefit Feb. 12 at The Garden Room in Fayetteville.
The chocolate and wine pairing dinner was orchestrated by Chef Miles James of James at the Mill and James Willems, Diamond Beverages wine expert. The two collaborated in pairing the two elements to produce a four-course dinner that highlighted the best of both wines from Glazer's of Northwest Arkansas and chocolates provided by Kyya Chocolate.
At a Glance
Ooh! La, la!
Who: Jackson L. Graves Foundation
What: The seventh annual fundraiser brought in more than $20,000 for the nonprofit organization.
When: Feb. 12
Where: The Garden Room in Fayetteville
Next: Red, White and Baby Blue, June 26
Information: (479) 799-9592 or jacksongraves.org
Masquerade Ball
Who: Walton Arts Center
What: The always sold-out event held at the arts center in Fayetteville helped raise more than $200,000 for the arts center’s educational programs.
When: Feb. 14
Where: The arts center in Fayetteville
Next: Art of Wine Festival, June 11-13
Information: (479) 443-5600 or waltonartscenter.org
Preview, Director’s Reception
Who: Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art
What: The museum opened its doors Thursday evening for an exhibition preview, Director’s Reception and opening of “Van Gogh to Rothko: Masterworks from the Albright-Knox Art Gallery.”
When: Thursday
Where: The museum in Bentonville
Next: The exhibition will run through June 1.
Information: (479) 418-5700 or crystalbridges.org
Proceeds will go to support the foundation's projects that include enhancing the bereavement program at Willow Creek Women's Hospital in Johnson to assist families when they lose an infant.
Those partaking of the pairings for the group's projects included Mitzi and Tim Traxson, Kelly Zega, Julie Vaught, Kristin and Rich Kley, Ben Butler, Angela and Justin DeLille, Ceri and Rolf Wilkin and Woody Bassett, Pat O'Brien and Angie Albright, foundation board members.
Walton Arts Center supporters and leaders donned masks, which were required, flapper fashions and other attire reminiscent of the Roaring '20s for the fifth annual Masquerade Ball on Feb. 14.
The always sold-out event held at the arts center in Fayetteville helped raise more than $200,000 for the arts center's educational programs.
Those joining the masquerade included Michelle and Scott Gloeckler, MaryBeth and Arist Mastorides, Sue and Mark Henneberger, Susie and Adam Dill, Corrina and Alan Dranow, Mary and Darryl Zettle and Eileen and Jeff Schomburger.
Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art opened its doors Thursday evening for an exhibition preview, Director's Reception and the opening of "Van Gogh to Rothko: Masterworks from the Albright-Knox Art Gallery."
The collection features masterpieces from the eponymous artists -- van Gogh's "La Maison de la Crau" and Rothko's "Orange and Yellow, 1956" -- as well as pieces by Pablo Picasso, Andy Warhol, Georgia O'Keefe, Salvador Dali, Frida Kahlo, Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec and Paul Gaugin.
Alice Walton, Crystal Bridges founder, told those gathered, "All I have to say is you're gonna love it -- you're just gonna love it."
"Museum's matter," Janne Siren, Albright-Knox executive director, said. "Museum's are a place of 'convergence'" where important things come together, neatly tying in the name of a Jackson Pollock work that is a highlight in the exhibition's collection of highlights. "Museums are the anchor that helps us live through the good times and the bad times."
Siren told us that the two museums are "committed to a continuous collaboration between the two Bs -- Buffalo and Bentonville."
Those visiting "Van Gogh to Rothko" to get an early look included Mindy and Bob Rich, Marvelyn Stout, Amy Cappellazzo, Alice Jacobs, Roberta and Michael Joseph, Sally Gioia, Charles Balbach, John Tyson, Liz Glassman, Jamie and Buddy Philpot, Shelley and Doug McMillon, Ondrea and Greg Foran, Olivia Tyson, and Marilee and Michael Keller.
For more event photos -- nwadg.com/photos/society
Columnist Carin Schoppmeyer can be reached by email at [email protected].
NAN Profiles on 02/22/2015