The Vero Beach Museum of Art kicked off the start of its 30th anniversary season with an elegant black-tie Director’s Society and Chairman’s Club Dinner Friday evening, welcoming back the upper-level category members whose contributions provide major support to the museum and its programs.
More than 300 guests were offered a choice of early or later seating in either the Holmes Great Hall or the Wahlstrom Sculpture Garden, enclosed by the Laura and Bill Buck Atrium, where they dined on a sumptuous filet and crab cake dinner catered by Elizabeth Kennedy. Both groups were treated before dinner to a lecture in the Leonhardt Auditorium by Mark Clague, associate professor of musicology and director of research at the University of Michigan.
“His talk is about the music of the Civil War and the history of the Star-Spangled Banner in conjunction with our Photographs of the Civil War exhibit,” said Lucinda Gedeon, VBMA CEO.
Some of the more recent returnees wandered the galleries during their respective cocktail hours to get a quick glance at the latest exhibitions, while others caught up with friends about summer trips, families and the upcoming season of activities. A colorful wall in front of the Hazel Education Wing also drew the eye of many of the arriving guests.
“The kids did this over the summer,” said Gedeon. “They did their handprints as fish with eyes in conjunction with James Prosek’s Ocean Fishes exhibition. And we’re all decked out with new graphics and a video of this year’s programs and exhibits.”
“We’re trying to get younger people and their families to adopt this building as their own. I think this is one of the best public buildings in Vero Beach,” said VBMA Board President Scott Alexander.
Later, in a brief welcome to guests, Alexander paid tribute to the late Richard Stark, a stalwart supporter and former board president of the museum. He also thanked the donors for their support of the museum’s many community outreach programs, which include partnerships with the school district and various nonprofit organizations.
Thousands of people are drawn to the VBMA each year, visiting exhibits, taking part in classes, attending numerous programs, lectures and concerts, and bringing their children to family activities and special community days.
Upcoming special events include the Southern Folk Festival, scheduled for Nov. 14 from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and Holidays at the Museum, on Dec. 6 from 1 to 4 p.m.
