Spotlight on A Renaissance Celebration On Saturday, June 14, nearly 300 guests dined, danced, and bid on items ranging from Red Sox tickets to an eight-day Viking cruise down the Rhine River—all in celebration of the historic Higgins collection integration. Guests arrived to the sound of heralding trumpets to enjoy a toast of mead, while fire-eaters set the spectacular scene. The invitation specified creative black tie, and the style-savvy crowd did not disappoint. For Gala Committee Co-chair Laura Brainard, it was the ideal opportunity to wear a vintage gold chain mail jacket by Massachusetts designer Anthony Ferrara. Although the effect was quite sleek, the five-pound jacket did give Brainard a taste of what it must have been like to wear ceremonial armor at court. The guitar and violin Duo Divertimento serenaded guests during the cocktail hour with compositions from classical and romantic-era composers. Bidding in the silent auction kicked off as guests mingled before sitting down to a delicious dinner with a medieval twist, with a farm-to-table menu by Russell Morin Fine Catering. After dinner, Boston band Legit got the crowd on its feet with their repertoire of jazz standards, Motown favorites, and Top 40 hits. The elegant and entertaining evening—which transformed the Stoddard Garden Court into a glittering Renaissance Hall— raised an estimated $250,000 net in support for the Museum’s highest priorities and exciting path forward, and celebrated the vital role the Museum plays in the cultural life of the region. For new Director of Philanthropy, Nora Maroulis, the takeaway is gratitude. “Heartfelt thanks are due to our dedicated event committee, chaired by Laura Brainard, Caroline Camougis, and Maura Turner; to our energetic Members Council, led by Peggy Snow and Sandy Hubbard; to our tireless development staff; and importantly, to all who participated as generous and spirited sponsors, attendees, high bidders, auction item contributors, donors, and cheerleaders. The event helped us kick off the summer in style and celebrate the ongoing integration of the remarkable Higgins Collection into its new home at the Worcester Art Museum.”
M I L E S P R E S S I N C.