A stunning estate, fronting the Riomar Golf Course with views of the ocean, was the elegant setting last Wednesday for an inaugural Arts Champagne Caviar event to benefit the Cultural Council of Indian River County. The property is listed by Premier Estate Properties’ Clark French and Cindy O’Dare.
Rooms throughout the lovely home played host to representatives of the various “Experiences with Art” items which were auctioned later in the evening. Guests wandered about, sipping on chardonnay and champagne, nibbling on hors d’oeuvres and listening to the dulcet sounds of harpist Gretchen Cover and classical guitarist Miguel Bonachea.
“I like the way they set it up with the auction items in the different rooms where you can talk to the people offering them,” said Joanna Meyers.
“It’s a wonderful verbal explanation rather than just a written program,” agreed Trudie Rainone.
“The Cultural Council, arts in general, brings people together for a cultural experience,” said John Stringer, who volunteered his talents as auctioneer, explaining that most of the items were meant to be enjoyed with groups of friends.
The art experiences included Stringer’s private cocktail party and lecture on the “Art of Building a Fine Art Collection” at his J.M. Stringer Gallery of Fine Art. Elke Brockway Fetterolf donated a cocktail party and antiquities tour, “In the Footsteps of Alexander the Great,” at her oceanfront home. Marcos Flores donated a private home “Piano Recital and Reception,” and Cobalt Restaurant offered to host “Great Minds Dining” with Wallace Nichols, author of Blue Mind, Your Brain on Water.
Trips out of town included “Cocktails and Yachting” aboard George Heaton’s 90-foot yacht from his estate in West Palm Beach, an “Artful Cocktail Party” at the RosettaStone Fine Art Gallery in Jupiter, and a “Hot Glass Blowing Party” at the Benzaiten Center for Creative Arts in Lake Worth. David Busch elicited interest in a “Wildlife Photography Safari” at Busch Wildlife Sanctuary by bringing along some of its permanent residents.
Other items included a wine vacation “Under the Tuscan Sun,” a photo shoot with Australian photographer Greg Hills and a canvas of his, Pelican Pose, and a limited edition archival C-Print from New York artist Irene Mamiye.
“The Cultural Council serves as a catalyst to help generate economic growth and improve the quality of life for residents and visitors to Indian River County,” said Barbara Hoffman, Cultural Council board chairman in her welcoming remarks before the bidding. “Our mission is to promote the arts through education, collaboration, marketing and advocacy.”
“We’re so lucky to have the different cultural venues that we have in Vero Beach. People who have a wonderful eye for the arts recognize this,” said John Stringer. “For such a small area, Vero Beach always surprises you; the depth of peoples’ interest in cultural events of all sorts. It’s like an onion. The more you’re here, the more layers you peel and the more you discover. That’s Vero Beach.”
