On June 7, 2008,
more than 400
arts patrons and
Bruce Museum
supporters
attended the
annual
Renaissance Ball
celebrating the
Museum’s 100th
anniversary. The
event, held on
the grounds of
Bydale, the
historic
backcountry
estate of Mrs.
Joan M. Warburg,
and themed “The
Century Ball:
Diamonds Are
Forever,”
brought in more
than one million
dollars – a
first in the
history of the
Bruce Museum.
“We were so
pleased to see
so many people
support the
Bruce,” said
Diane W. Darst,
Bruce Museum
Board of
Trustees
co-chairman.
“The Museum is a
jewel in
Greenwich and
the surrounding
area. This event
was truly a
successful
launch to our
capital
campaign.”
Stunning
‘40s-style décor
reminiscent of
an Art Deco
club, punctuated
with diamond
accents, the
brainchild of
New York City
designer Frank
Alexander,
dazzled guests,
who also came to
enjoy the
culinary
delights of
Abigail Kirsch
Catering
Relationships.
During the
cocktail hour,
partygoers had
the opportunity
to view rare
diamond pieces
from GRAFF, the
lead event
sponsor, who
also donated a
$50,000 necklace
to the live
auction.
Guests later
danced to the
sounds of the
New York-based
Starlight
Orchestras under
a silver,
silk-draped
tent, complete
with a
diamond-shaped
disco ball.
After dinner and
applause for
event honorees,
Nat and Lucy
Day,
Pam and Bob
Goergen, and
Linda and Steve
Munger,
the auction
began. Guy
Bennett,
Christie’s
Senior Vice
President and
Head of
Impressionist
and Modern Art,
auctioned off a
variety of
sought-after
items, which
included a
Betteridge
diamond and
emerald brooch,
a New York /
Paris fashion
extravaganza, a
vacation in a
spectacular St.
Barths private
home, and a
contribution to
the acquisition
of a John Henry
Twachtman
painting for the
Museum that
alone raised
$120,000.
The evening was
topped off with
a cliffhanger.
Each guest went
home with a Saks
box, one of
which contained
a key that opens
a vitrine
housing a pair
of GRAFF diamond
earrings, valued
at $35,000, at
Saks Fifth
Avenue in
Greenwich.
Guests also
toted home a
Tiffany & Co.
crystal
paperweight in
the shape of a
multi-faceted,
round-cut
diamond and a
GRAFF catalog to
inspire future
purchases.
“Ball chairs
Nancy Raquet and
Patricia
Chadwick created
a magical
evening, unlike
any we’ve
experienced in
the history of
the Bruce
Museum,” said
Peter C. Sutton,
Bruce Museum
Executive
Director. “It
was a fitting
tribute to the
Museum’s 100
years of
celebrating the
beauty and
history of art
and science.”
For 100 years
the Bruce Museum
has been a vital
community
resource,
welcoming scores
of visitors
annually and
conducting a
wide array of
educational
programs for all
ages, drawing on
our
world-renowned
exhibitions and
public
programming.
The Renaissance
Ball is the
Museum's major
fundraiser, with
net proceeds
accounting for
approximately 16
percent of the
Museum's annual
budget. Funds
are earmarked
for education
programs and
exhibitions.
________________________________________________________________________
The Bruce Museum
is located at 1
Museum Drive in
Greenwich,
Connecticut,
USA. General
admission is $7
for adults, $6
for seniors and
students, and
free for
children under
five and Bruce
Museum members.
Free admission
to all on
Tuesdays. The
Museum is
located near
Interstate-95,
Exit 3, and a
short walk from
the Greenwich,
CT, train
station. Museum
hours are:
Tuesday through
Saturday 10 a.m.
to 5 p.m.,
Sunday 1 p.m. to
5 p.m., and
closed Mondays
and major
holidays. Groups
of eight or more
require advance
reservations.
Museum
exhibition tours
are held Fridays
at 12:30 p.m.
Free, on-site
parking is
available. The
Bruce Museum is
accessible to
individuals with
disabilities.
For information,
call the Bruce
Museum at (203)
869-0376, or
visit the Bruce
Museum website
at
www.brucemuseum.org.