Crystal Bridges welcomes patrons, Wyeth

Arkansas Children's Hospital is gearing up for the 22nd annual Will Golf 4 Kids tournament Aug. 6-7 and the Color of Hope Gala on Aug. 7. The group thanked event sponsors at the VIP Night reception Wednesday evening at Ruth's Chris Steak House in Rogers.

Marcy Doderer, Arkansas Children's Hospital president and chief executive officer, told guests the Little Rock-based hospital has been working to "reestablish the mission to be champions for children to be better today and healthier tomorrow."

To that end, she said the hospital is going to "change the trajectory of health care for children over the next 20 to 30 years. We need to expand to serve 700,000 children in 75 counties in Arkansas."

The hospital had more than 366,000 patient visits in the past year, with approximately 33,000 of those from Northwest Arkansas. Though the hospital's main campus is in Little Rock, its Centers for Children in Lowell offers primary care and pediatric subspecialties such as cardiology, neurology, hematology, pulmonology, endocrinology, rehabilitative and developmental pediatrics. The centers help cut down travel to Little Rock for follow-up visits after being treated there.

Robin and Gary George are serving as the 2015 Color of Hope chairmen. Gary promised this year's gala will be the largest yet, with 1,600 tickets sold (out) and shared some of the live auction packages that will be available that night. They include a $25,000 shopping spree at Blakeman's Fine Jewelry in Rogers, a Kubota RTV utility vehicle, a Mercedes Benz or BMW for two years, trips to Kenya, Napa and Cabo San Lucas, a George Dombech painting and dinner with Arkansas Razorback football coach Bret Bielema.

The evening will also include learning more about the hospital, and Doug McMillon, Walmart Stores Inc. president and chief exective officer, will be the keynote speaker.

This year's color of hope is white, and guests are encouraged to dress in white cocktail attire.

Those championing children's health included Jill and Mike Sewell, Kydon Reeh, Marshall Ney, Mary Kathryn and Matt Brown, Linden Siems, Patrick Swope, KC and Joe Tucker, Fred Scarborough and Toni Leutjen.

Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art in Bentonville opened its doors and special exhibitions Thursday evening to give museum backers an opportunity to see "Warhol's Nature" and preview "Jamie Wyeth."

Alice Walton, museum founder and chairwoman of the board of directors, said she's always been sensitive to nature and the earth, and the opportunity to have the works of the two artists that focus on nature is special to her.

While Wyeth is known for his realism, Warhol is known for his pop art. However, Warhol did create a number of works with nature as the subject.

Rod Bigelow, museum executive director, said that although it's difficult to imagine more different artistic styles than the two artists, the dual exhibition is "a celebration of artistic friendship."

As she introduced Jamie Wyeth, her longtime friend, Walton told him, "Jamie, I think we see the world with the same eyes -- I just wish I could paint like that."

Wyeth, who was also friends with Warhol, told us that he was pleased "to share the building with an old friend ... The thing that also really excites me is that it's Alice's museum."

Among those wandering the galleries to see Wyeth and Warhol works were Marvelyn Stout, Larry Manry, Elliot Davis, Lynn and Don Blakeman, Jeff McEwin and Philip DeNormandie.

For more event photos -- nwadg.com/photos/society

Columnist Carin Schoppmeyer can be reached by email at [email protected].

NAN Profiles on 07/26/2015