Dec. 13, 2018

The pARTy in the Garden

Dr. Michael Crow, Ellen Katz and Dr. Steven Tepper

Phoenix Art Museum revived The pARTy in the Garden on Nov. 3, raising more than $1 million in support of the Museum’s exhibitions and arts education programs. The popular pARTy was an annual gala from 2007 to 2015. This year’s event featured an inside look at contemporary art installations along with food, cocktails and dancing under the stars. Arizona State University President Dr. Michael Crow was recognized as the gala’s first-ever guest of honor. The afterpARTy, a late-night, art-gala experience, was open to the general public. The benefit has raised more than $11.5 million since its inception in 2007.

The Nov. 3 festivities began in the Dorrance Sculpture Garden, with areas transformed into elegantly lit lounges, where guests enjoyed custom cocktails courtesy of Arizona Distilling Co. and Código 1530. Adding to the cocktail hour was an ASU student art exhibition and an exclusive viewing of the exhibition Ragnar Kjartansson: Scandinavian Pain and Other Myths, which runs through April 14.

A seated dinner was held in Cummings Great Hall, featuring remarks honoring the Museum’s 60^th anniversary season as well as Dr. Michael Crow for his influence on a thriving City of Phoenix and Central Corridor. Following dinner, guests moved back to the Dorrance Sculpture Garden for the afterpARTy, where they were entertained with live music inspired by ABBA and had access to a one-night-only art installation by local artist Kenaim Al-Shatti.

Amy Cohn, Ellen Katz, Margot Knight and Meredith von Arentschildt co-chaired the evening.

PHOTOS BY HAUTE EVENT PHOTOGRAPHY, COURTESY PHOENIX ART MUSEUM