Bruce Museum
1 Museum
Drive,
Greenwich,
CT
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.