The Sarasota Art Museum was awash in vibrant colors during its new Soiree gala held on Dec. 8.
The gala — the first held by the museum since its opening in 2019 — had hundreds of attendees in the museum's courtyard for the social hour. Guests picked up food and drinks, mingled and posed for photos in front of the night's colorful step and repeat.
Eventually the crowd headed into the tent space that served as the night's event hub, which had a selection of pinks, purples, teals and other shades to give the night a vivid feel.
The program was led off by Ringling College of Art and Design president Larry Thompson, who thanked the many in attendance and expressed gratitude at the return to normalcy for the relatively-new museum.
Guests then heard from co-chairwomen Elaine Crouse and Rosemary Oberndorf who spoke to the importance that art and museums have in both their lives and culture as a whole. Executive Director Virginia Shearer spoke after dinner was finished.
The night ended with a paddle raise which netted the museum more than $200,000.
John Hargreaves, Claire Rusen, Hein Rusen and Dan Rex
Executive Director Virginia Shearer
Dana Dalpra, Barbara Jacob, Karen Lichtig and Tricia Mire
Christa Molinaro, David Samec and Beth Samec
Michele Parchment, Markus and Ingrid Summers
Jonathan and Michelle Mitchell with Dean and Sarah Eisner
Linda Driggs and Heather Richai
Felice Schulaner and Dennis Rees
Special Events Manager Laura Stuart Wood
The night's decor has a series of pinks, purples, magentas and teals.
The night's decor has a series of pinks, purples, magentas and teals.
Eleanor Maxheim, Marion Levine, Bev Harms and Sam Samelson
Roxie Jerde and Stephanie Fraim
Jaclyn Brunckhorst and Amie Austin Oliva
Executive Director Virginia Shearer, Michele Silverman and Janis Swan
Brent Hamill, Ping Faulhaber, Mimi Falhauber, Devin Falhauber, Scott and Melissa Stevens
Andre Scott and Alan Gravely
Co-chairwomen Rosemary Oberndorf and Elaine Crouse
George and Janet Miles
Patrick Johnson, Katya Kroupnik, Diane Weaver and David Zaccardelli
Stacey Corley, Kim Harris and Dona Scott
Kyle Flannery and Allison Kummery with Lauren Pritchard and Dipesh DeRay
Jennifer Price, Tracy Wagner, Tammy Walsh and Jason Good
Katherine Harris with Tom and Sherry Koski and Joe and Sydney Gruters
