“The Art of Brilliance” may have been billed as a black-tie optional “UnGala,” but with elements that included Veuve Clicquot Champagne, diamond manicures and admission to “Brilliant: Cartier in the 20th Century,” signature event for 2015 had plenty of sparkle.
“Our focus was to highlight the genius of Cartier and honor the amazing exhibition organized by the ,” observed artist Lindsay Smith Gustave. “We partnered with brilliant individuals in their respective industries (to) create an evening that was as fun as it was sophisticated. It gave everyone a chance to shine.”
Gustave chaired “The Art of Brilliance” with Stephanie Richards, co-founder of , and Kathleen Perniciaro, general manager of . The 400 guests helped raise $15,000 for future programming at the DAM.
In addition to viewing the Cartier exhibit, guests were treated to burlesque by a troupe headed by Vivienne VaVoom; sweets from , and the Kevin Taylor Restaurant Group; and the opportunity to bid in a silent auction.
There also was a Diamond Deception Tree where, for a $25 donation, guests could pluck a bag that would contain anything from baubles (Allie Pohl necklaces, a tourmaline ring from Joe Korth Jewelry) to vintage Neil Diamond cassette tapes.
And, when it came time to dance, no one could complain that the music was too loud. That’s because Peter Hoang’s was in the house, and the dancers moved to the beat of music delivered via headphones.
Director/actor/producer Katharyn Grant was among those attending the fundraiser that also had decor by and a silent auction where the top-seller was a package donated by Reed Art & Imaging and Denver Digital Photography.
Paul Laurie of Walking Tree Travel and was there, too; he’d donated two seats to the Silver Spork Social’s next pop-up evening of food and music.
Other guests were fashion designer Mondo Guerra; David Shaw and Jesse Brettin of SPK Media; Castle Searcy, whose provided the diamond manicures; Eileen O’Brien from the Denver Film Society; Brianna Borin of Snooze A.M. Eatery and CityBuild; Ginger Pelz of DaVita Communications; Jessica Patrick of Native Nectar Botanicals; Dresden Romero, communications, marketing and recruiting manager for the University of Denver’s Department of Media, Film and Journalism Studies; and Adam and Jennifer Daurio. Adam recently stepped down as executive director of the SaddleUp! Foundation to become director of administration and operations for the Temple Grandin Equine Center at Colorado State University.
CultureHaus is headed by Cross-Cultured founder Katie Kruger; Stephanie Blake, chief engagement strategist for Blake Communications; and Joshua Van Engen, senior art director for The Integer Group. Its purpose is to cultivate the next generation of arts patrons by introducing young philanthropists to the DAM.
Joanne Davidson: 303-809-1314, jdavidson@ denverpost.com or twitter.com/joannedavidson
Online: More pictures from this event denverpost.com/seengallery
