Galas, Inside and Out

Cocktails on the Esplanade at the Chicago Botanic Garden Summer Gala.

The Olana Partnership's 2014 Frederic E. Church Award Gala was held on Thursday, June 19th at the New York Public Library in New York City. Nearly 300 people attended the event, which raised more than $1 million.

This year's Gala, Inside and Out: Celebrating Design and Decorative Arts, honored three individuals for their transformative work in the disciplines of decorative arts, architecture and design: Alice Cooney Frelinghuysen, Anthony W. and Lulu C. Wang Curator of American Decorative Arts at The Metropolitan Museum of Art; Peter Pennoyer, Founder of Peter Pennoyer Architects; and Katie Ridder, Founder of Katie Ridder Design and Decoration. In addition, Sara Griffen was recognized for her 25 years as a creative leader of The Olana Partnership, which supports the conservation, preservation, development and improvement of Olana State Historic Site, the home of Frederic Church. The Frederic E. Church Award (FEC) is given annually as a celebration of art, landscape and culture.

Alice Cooney Frelinghuysen, Katie Ridder, Peter Pennoyer, and Sara Griffen

The evening's live auction, conducted by Sotheby's David Redden, featured a hand-forged, one-of-a-kind bronze bench by David DeSantis; a customized cocktail dress designed by Bibhu Mohaptra with three fit consultations (similar dress worn by Academy Award-winner Lupita Nyong'o), plus two tickets to his fashion show at Lincoln Center; a portrait sitting with the bidder's dog (and/or bidder) by artist William Wegman; and a portrait commission sketch by artist Will Cotton that will be framed by Eli Wilner.

Karen H. Bechtel and David Goel served as Event Chairs.

Steering Committee included Anna May Feige and Belinda K. Kaye (Co-Chairs), Christine Jones (Auction Chair), David de Weese, Richard N. McCarthy, David N. Redden, Richard T. Sharp, Theodora Simons, and Kay Toll.

Ashley Van Egeren, in Bibhu Mohaptra designed auction dress

Ashley Van Egeren in Bibhu Mohaptra designed gown

Attendees included Alice Cooney Frelinghuysen (Award honoree, Anthony W. and Lulu C. Wang Curator of American Decorative Arts at Metropolitan Museum of Art), Peter Pennoyer (Award honoree, Founder PPAC Architects), Katie Ridder (Award honoree, Katie Ridder Design and Decoration), Sara Griffen (Washburn S. and Susan M. Oberwager President, The Olana Partnership), Christopher Gray (presenter, columnist, The New York Times), Morrison H. Heckscher (presenter, curator, The Metropolitan Museum of Art), Richard T. Sharp (Board Chair), Genevieve Gorder (HGTV host, interior designer), Bibhu Mohaptra (fashion designer), David DeSantis (artist), Will Cotton (artist), Leslie Kano, Rose Harvey (Commissioner, NY Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation), Barrie and Deedee Wigmore, Kip Forbes, Susan Winokur and Paul Leach, Mita Corsini Bland, Mish Tworkowski (jewelry designer), Katie Leede (jewelry designer), Peter W. Lyden (President, Institute of Classical Architecture and Art), Thomas Denenberg (Director, Shelburne Museum), Washburn S. and Susan M. Oberwager, and David and Jeanette Redden.

Proceeds from the annual gala fund The Olana Partnership's mission, which is: "To inspire the public by preserving and interpreting Olana, Frederic Church's artistic masterpiece." Past Frederic E. Church Award recipients include: Alice Walton, Martha Stewart, Morrison Heckscher, Stephen Hannock, John Willmerding, Franklin Kelly, Betsy Broun and Jack Warner.

Christopher Gray

Sara Griffen receiving painting from Washburn Oberwager

The eminent Hudson River School painter Frederic Edwin Church (1826-1900) designed Olana, his family home, studio, estate and working farm as an integrated environment embracing architecture, art, and landscape. Considered one of the most important artistic residences in the United States, Olana is a landmark of picturesque landscape gardening with a Persian-inspired house at its summit, embracing unrivaled panoramic view of the vast Hudson Valley.

The Olana Partnership supports the conservation, preservation, development and improvement of the Olana State Historic Site, which is open to the public throughout the year. Its goal is to inspire the public by preserving and interpreting Olana, and to create the most widely recognized artist's home and studio in the world, vibrant with the activity of students, visitors and scholars. For more information, visit olana.org.

Genevieve Gorder and David DeSantis

Will Cotton and Rose Dergan

Richard Sharp, Sara Griffen, Susan Oberwager, and Washburn Oberwager

Stacy and David Goel

Laura Cooper and Rose Harvey

Stuart Breslow, Hillary Weisman, Anne Miller, Meredith Kane, and Edward Scarvalone

Lee Morgan and Kip Forbes

Owen Davidson, Richard Sharp, and Bibhu Mohaptra

Annette Blaugrund, Stanley Blaugrund, Karen Bechtel, and Morrison Heckscher

Liz Graziolo, Dorynne Brock, and Nicole Viole

Alan Hilliker and Mark Prezorski

Jeannette Redden, David Redden, Morrison Heckscher, and Fenella Heckscher

Katie Leede and Peter Pennoyer

Mish Tworkowski and Katie Ridder

Chris Jones, Albert Key, and Monica Ray

Belinda Kaye and Katie Ridder

David and Samantha Brookes with Steven Eich

Valerie Westcott, Leslie Keno, Jeanette Redden, and Christopher Apostle

Alice Cooney Frelinghuysen and Barrie Wigmore

Over in Chicago, more than 325 guests celebrated the beginning of the summer party season at the Summer Dinner Dance at the Chicago Botanic Garden. The black-tie soiree began with cocktails and hors d’oeuvres served on the Esplanade, followed by an intimate dinner dance in an elegant pavilion. One of the most talked-about events on the North Shore and in the Chicago area, the 2014 Summer Dinner Dance raised $425,000 for the Garden’s science and education programs.

HMR Designs created the beautiful setting inside the tent with white peonies and a modern green-and-white palette. Passed hors d'oeuvres and dinner was catered by Calihan Catering. Lynne Jordan and the Shivers played while guests danced the night away. Guests received mini orchids and chocolate chip cookies before departing through paths lined with luminaria.

Cocktails on the Esplanade

The pavilion on the Esplanade

HMR Designs created the beautiful setting inside the tent with white peonies and a modern green-and-white palette

The Committee for the Summer Dinner Dance was co-chaired by Mr. and Mrs. David R. Casper of Northbrook, Mr. and Mrs. Peter B. Foreman of Chicago and Mr. and Mrs. Steven J. Gavin of Winnetka. The Summer Dinner Dance was generously underwritten by BMO Harris Bank and Winston & Strawn. Additional support was provided by Beam Suntory, Bonterra Organic Vineyards and Lagunitas Brewing Company.

The co-chairs of the 2014 Summer Dinner Dance were Mr. and Mrs. Peter B. Foreman (Ginny) of Chicago, Mr. and Mrs. David R. Casper (Jane) of Northbrook, and Mr. and Mrs. Steven J. Gavin (Cassie) of Winnetka.

Summer Dinner Dance co-chairs Jane and David Casper of Northbrook

Summer Dinner Dance co-chairs Cassie and Steven Gavin of Winnetka

Summer Dinner Dance co-chairs Peter and Ginny Foreman of Chicago

Sara and Jim TenBroek of Lake Forest

Jack and Ali Connery of Lake Forest, Geoffrey Luce, and Matt and Chrissy Davis

Bruce and Laura Linger and Alison and Steve Schmitt, all of Winnetka

Katie and John MacCarthy of Winnetka

Jen and Arnold Randall of River Forest

John and Julia Howard of Lake Forest

John and Myra Reilly of Glencoe and Susan Regenstein and Barry Frank of Naples, FL

Jason and Yolanda Tyler and Tom Tansor and Aileen Blake, all of Chicago

David and Anne Loucks of Winnetka

Tricia and Will Hagenah of Kenilworth

Mary Kathryn Hartigan and Marvin Kocian of Northfield

Dan Goldman, Shana Ellis, Bettina Slusar and Peter Ellis, all of Chicago

Neville and John Bryan of Lake Forest

Jeff and DeAnne Umland of Lakewood

Emily and John MacEntee and Meg and Dave Lanz, all of Winnetka

Jason and Laura Koh of Winnetka

Kayla Lubicz of Chicago and Lou Affetto of Park Ridge

Susan Regenstein and Barry Frank of Naples, FL

Mary Southworth and Jim Glasser of Lake Forest

Macy and Gary Rozier of Chicago

Amelia and Alejandro Silva of Chicago

Ed Teixeira of Glencoe and Stacy Ratner of Highland Park

Megan and Robert Gray of Glencoe

Eric and Arin Reeves, Nickol and Darrel Hackett, all of Chicago

Beth and Jim Robinson of Winnetka

Arin and Eric Reeves of Chicago

Jay Henderson of Northfield, Eric Reeves of Chicago and Darrel Hackett of Chicago

Nickol and Darrel Hackett of Chicago

Chrissy and Matt Davis

Purple Haze performed for the Summer Dinner Dance

Lynne Jordan and the Shivers played while guests danced the night away

Dinner in the pavilion on the Esplanade

The Summer Dinner Dance was on the night of the full moon

Harboring Hearts co-founders Michelle Javian and Yuki Kotani welcomed over 300 supporters including Taye Diggs, Kelly Killoren Bensimon, Nicole DiCocco, Laura Lofaro Freeman, and Christian Siriano to its 2nd Annual Summer Soiree at The Rubin Museum of Art in Chelsea on Monday, June 23, 2014.

The special evening honored Evercore Founder and Executive Chairman Roger Altman, Columbia University Medical Center Dean of the Faculties of Health Sciences and Medicine Dr. Lee Goldman, Director of the Outpatient Pediatric Dyrsrhythmia Center at The Children's Hospital at Montefiore Dr. Christine Walsh and heart transplant recipient and motivational speaker Michael Kutcher for their great contributions and heart health advocacy.

Michelle Javian and Ryan Serhant

Co-Chairs Dr. Mark Apfelbaum, Dr. Robert Galvin and Hope Geier Smith and Host Committee members Eric Trump, Consuelo Vanderbilt Costin, Mick Rock, Ryan Serhant, Peter Davis, Jacob Langfelder and George Wayne were treated to a musical performance by Tony Award Winner actress Lena Hall with accompaniment from Lance Horne and Burt Rock, DJ sets from Tennessee Thomas, Timo Weiland & Alan Eckstein, cocktails, heart-healthy food by The Hummus & Pita Co. and Potatopia and a CharityBuzz auction.

Dr. Lee Goldman and Mark Apfelbaum

Harboring Hearts is a charity dedicated to providing affordable, short-term accommodations along with additional financial and emotional support for critically ill heart patients and their families during the critical time of treatment. Working closely with cardiology and transplant teams at top NY hospitals, Harboring Hearts provides targeted financial interventions that are tailored to meet specific housing and other urgent needs for those they serve. Educational and recreational programs are also organized in hospitals to cultivate community and encourage heart healthy living.

For more information on Harboring Hearts, visit www.harboringhearts.org.

Kelly Bensimon, Michelle Javian, and Hope Geier Smith

Roger Altman, Dr. Christine Walsh, Dr. Lee Goldman, and Michael Kutcher

Eric Trump and Lara Yunaska

Yuki Kotani

Taye Diggs

Christian Siriano

Consuelo Vanderbilt, Jean Shafiroff, and Nicole DiCocco

Lance Horne, Lena Hall, and Burt Rock

Anne Dexter Jones and Roger Altman

DJ Alan Eckstein and Timo Weiland

On Saturday, June 7th, down in Boston, The Museum Council of the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston held its 11th annual Museum Council Summer Party. Hundreds of stylish young art enthusiasts attended the sunset-inspired soirée, which was evocative of Art Deco Miami Beach and featured a juried silent art auction, cocktails, hors d'oeuvres, and dancing to music by New-York based duo Andrew Andrew. Live paintings were created at the event by Jaybo Monk and El Mac. The night was chaired by Gina Morda, Elizabeth Dunne Marcoulier and Jeff Merselis.

A social calendar highlight for the past ten years, this annual event raises vital operating support for the Museum of Fine Arts. A portion of the proceeds from this year's Summer Party benefits an endowed Museum Council Special Exhibition Fund.