News
Revel in Ancient Greece and Rome at Annual Benefit Gala
January 8, 2009
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 8, 2009
Media contact:
Christine Liggio
Phone: (609) 258-7615
E-mail: cliggio@princeton.edu
Gala Cochairs:
Trudy Borenstein-Sugiura, (609) 683-7831
Vanessa LaFranco, (609) 644-2095
AMUSEMENT: Revel in Ancient Art and Culture of Greece and Rome at
Princeton University Art Museum's Annual Benefit Gala
PRINCETON, N.J.─The Friends of the Princeton University Art Museum will host its premier annual fundraising event, the Greco-Roman themed gala, AMUSEMENT, on Saturday, January 31, 2009. The evening will begin at 6:00 p.m. with cocktails at the art museum, followed by dinner and dancing at Prospect House at 8:00 p.m. Parking will be available at the University. Proceeds from AMUSEMENT will support educational outreach initiatives in the art museum’s Department of Education and Academic Programming.
This year’s gala draws its inspiration from a Roman mosaic in the museum's collection of ancient art, which depicts a drinking contest between Herakles, the mythological hero, and Dionysos, the god of wine. In keeping with the theme, Prospect House will be transformed into a celebratory setting reminiscent of ancient Greece and Rome, with an impressive array of wines and a feast fit for the gods and gastronomes.
“We appreciate all the efforts of those who support the museum’s fine programs, which provide free access and educational opportunities to the extended community,” said gala cochair Trudy Borenstein-Sugiura. “In addition to being a great party, the gala is the primary source of funding for all the museum’s outreach initiatives.”
Guests will experience the ultimate in food and wine pairing. The Bacchanalia will begin at the art museum and will feature a wide variety of Italian wines and specialty hors d'oeuvres. During the cocktail reception, guests will enjoy a visual feast of children’s art as featured in Mini Masters, an exhibition showcasing works by the museum’s young visitors. The festivities will then move to Prospect House, where guests will enjoy dinner prepared by Executive Chef Brian Driscoll. Patrons will dance the night away to the Franklin and Alison Orchestra, a Princeton-based band featuring Broadway singer Laraine Alison. The nine-piece band will play selections ranging from swing to popular American standards.
Corporate sponsors include Alpharma, Inc.; Bloomberg L.P.; Munich Re America; PNC Wealth Management; and Tyco International. Trudy Borenstein-Sugiura and Vanessa LaFranco are joined by the following committee chairs: Tim Andrews, Heather Atkinson, Maureen Barna, Susan Barosko, Regina Brett, Kary Clancy, Sandhya Dawar, Heidi Dreyfuss, Gayle Fiabane, Nina Golder, Carol Hansen, Mary Heilner, Glenda Hughes, Milly King, Elizabeth Murray, Betsy Sauder, Alice St. Claire-Long, Samuel Stovall, Nancy Woelk, and Roberta Zatta.
For more information about the Friends Benefit Gala or to purchase tickets, please contact Jennifer Fekete-Donners, administrator of the Friends, at (609) 258-3762 or friends@princeton.edu. A portion of each ticket is a tax-deductible, nonrefundable contribution to the Friends of the Princeton University Art Museum.
About the Museum
Founded in 1882, the Princeton University Art Museum is one of the finest art museums in the country. Its collection features more than 68,000 works ranging from ancient to contemporary art, and concentrating geographically on the Mediterranean regions, Western Europe, China, the United States, and Latin America, with particular strengths in Chinese painting and calligraphy, art of the ancient Americas, and pictorial photography. The museum is committed to serving the local community, the region, and beyond through innovative and dynamic programming, original research and new scholarship, an active loan program, and the organization of touring exhibitions of its works. By collaborating with faculty, students, and staff, and through direct and sustained access to original works of art, the museum contributes to the development of critical thinking and visual literacy at Princeton University.
The Princeton University Art Museum is located in the center of the Princeton University campus, next to Prospect House and only a short walk from Princeton’s Nassau Street. Museum admission is free and open to the general public. Hours are Tuesday through Saturday, 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., and Sunday, 1:00 to 5:00 p.m. Free highlights tours of the collection are given every Saturday and Sunday at 2:00 p.m. The museum is closed Mondays and major holidays. For information, please call (609) 258-3788 or visit the museum’s Web site at http://artmuseum.princeton.edu.
