The Alice-in-Wonderland-themed luncheon was chaired this year by Jan Willinger and Nancy Lambrecht who did an outstanding job creating one of the most successful Mad Hatter’s event ever held by the Armory. Annie Falk and Marie Samuels were this year’s Honorary Chairs and Paula Butler was our gracious Luncheon Chair with all of them showing outstanding support and bringing a host of fashionable guests to the luncheon. Jackie Rogers, clothing designer extraordinaire and Palm Beach’s well-known clothing diva, Iris Apfel accepted the task of hat judges and did a marvelous job in selecting the winners: Dragana Connaughton, Paula Butler, Biba St. Croix along with Jonathan Stein and Janis Laff, and Liz Hunn. Prizes included gift certificates from Anushka and Lily Holt, and a necklace from Sasha Lickle. Jackie Rogers presented a fabulous fashion show of her new spring line that had the rapt attention of the guests as stunning models paraded through the event showing off Jackie’s amazing designs.

In addition to all of these unbelievable attractions, there was also a raffle with generous gifts donated by Tory Burch Revolve Clothing, Coach, a Linda Rossbach designer pin, Barbara Bennet Jewelry, Elizabeth Scokin Haute Hostess Aprons and Nirit Dekel glass bead necklace. Vive magazine and the Palm Beach Post were a great help as the Mad Hatter’s media sponsors.

This year’s teapot auction exhibited a terrific selection of unique and creative teapots from around the country as well as from many Armory students and teachers and was well-received with the auction raising over $5000 for the Artist-in-Residence program and approximately $75,000 in total.  All in all, the Mad Hatter’s Luncheon was a stunning success and a bright light in the current dismal economy.

The money raised benefits Artist-in-Residence programs in ceramics, painting and drawing, sculpture, printmaking and jewelry. As a result of funding raised by this event, the Armory Art Center is able to offer artists from all over the country and beyond an opportunity to be a part of the Armory’s programming. The artists-in-residence work at the Armory Art Center for one year to evolve their portfolios. At the same time, the artists teach Armory students and learn from Armory faculty. Proceeds also benefit the faculty artist programming.

             The Armory Art Center is a not-for-profit community-based visual arts center providing opportunities for individual growth, self-expression, increased awareness and appreciation of the arts through participation in studio, exhibition, lecture and other educational programs. The Center seeks to educate, enrich and engage a diverse population through the "experience of art," and is sponsored in part by the State of Florida, Department of State, Division of Cultural Affairs, the Florida Arts Council, and the Palm Beach County Tourist Development Council.  For more information on the Armory Art Center, please call 561.832.1776 or visit the Armory’s website at www.armoryart.org.