Party Report: Art Museum’s Young Friends Winter Gala
Even the weather was on theme at the Young Friends Winter Gala, held to introduce 2012’s Van Gogh Up Close exhibit and to raise funds for museum tours for inner-city students, Saturday night at the Philadelphia Museum of Art. Gusts of wind swept guests into the west entrance with the force and vivacity of Van Gogh’s brush strokes, ruffling dresses and eliciting high-pitched giggles.
Red was the color of the night, from the blood-orange martinis waiters carried about on silver trays to the unexpected splashes of red in Van Gogh’s personal collection of Asian prints. And of course, red dresses! Julia Sherwood Murphy, co-chair of the event, wore a slinky red lace sheath with bell sleeves that left us (and her) completely breathless. Board member Jacqueline Cassidy, sported an Asian-inspired embroidered red satin sheath, and my own dress was a floor-length red jersey as well; we were just three of many.
Newly engaged Lindsay Dekich, in fluttering light yellow chiffon, and Vlad Ratushny, were glowing from a recent jaunt to the Bahamas. Gabriela Guaracao, with boyfriend Chad Waring, looked fantastic in black sequins. And Heather Hauser Steiner, executive board member, caused jaws to drop left and right (as usual) in a half-sleeve, coppery confection that looked as if it were still liquid.
RC Atlee was buzzing about taking pictures and collecting stories for his revived online society paper, Proper Philadelphia. I loved RC’s polka-dot tie—but then, us polka dot lovers were in our glory Saturday, with board member Johnny Im wearing his famous (infamous?) polka-dot tux jacket, and Julia Murphy’s hubs Ari in an aggressively polka-dotted shirt. Winter Gala tends to bring out the most fun fashion choices of black-tie season, and this year was no exception!
Guests hitting up the raffle table were not disappointed, with offerings including a foursome at Plymouth Country Club, dinners at Bistrot la Minette and LaCroix, chocolates from John & Kira’s, a golf bag from Wynnewood Audi, tickets to the Mann, and much more. Revelers after-partied at 10 Arts until the early hours.
Even after being a part of the planning committe, I find it amazing that a gala this fun can do so much good! Winter Gala raises tens of thousands of dollars each year that go to support acquisitions, Young Friends events, and guided museum tours for students who could not afford to visit otherwise. To that, I’ll raise a glass. (By the way, if you’re interested in becoming a Young Friend or joining the gala planning committee, please contact Megan McNeely at Megan.McNeely@philamuseum.org.)
Lauren St. Clair Lynch and Tim Engelke
Ilana Waber and Alexander Hankin
Lindsay Ouellette and Steve Oh
Emily Gerstell and Chris Schmitt
Brian Kelley and Karen Rensman
Kat Hinkel, Johnny Im, Jackie Cassidy, and Shirin Heidary
Jocelyn Firth and Ingrid Levin
Rikki Renz and Jill Allem
Joshua Weinstein and Reba Kline
Meredith Brisco and Deirdre Sawinski
Sarah Wright, Matt Aggon, and Katie Miller
Julia Sherwood Murphy and Nicole Johnson
Russell Kohn and Carolyn Blair
Kacie Adams and Chloe Johnston
Nikki Roberts, Dylan McGarry, Morgan McGlaughlin and Lauren Ladd
Cleo Wade, Alex Catarinella and Caitlin Moe
Andrew and Christine Kennedy
George Howard, Jennifer Caudle and Draion Burch
Lauren and Stephen Zollo
Adriana Torres O’Connor and Kerry O’Connor
Charles Waring and Gabriela Guaracao
