The evening of Thursday, March 21, was ideal with temperatures in the 70s for a party to celebrate spring and the upcoming floral delights of the Dallas Museum of Art League’s “Art in Bloom 2019: Joie des Fleurs.” And what better place to honor the fundraiser’s patrons than Lisa and Clay Cooley‘s estate. To commemorate the 20th anniversary of Art in Bloom, glass artist Carlyn Ray had created a surprise for the past chairs. Here’s a report from the field:
The Dallas Museum of Art League honored patrons and supporters of “Art in Bloom 2019: Joie des Fleurs” with a reception hosted by Lisa and Clay Cooley.
Art in Bloom Chair Eleanor Bond, Honorary Co-Chairs Beverly and Don Freeman and Dallas Museum of Art League President Sarah Jo Hardin were joined by more than 95 attendees at the March 21 event. Upon arrival, guests mingled as they enjoyed cocktails and hors d’oeuvres in the beautiful setting of the Cooley’s home. At the appointed time, Eleanor and Sarah Jo gathered the crowd including Agustín Arteaga and Carlos Gonzalez-Jaime, Mark Hardin, Suzanne and Stuart Guthrie, Leslie and Alex Champlin, Jane and Dan Sibley, Carol Resnick, Sheila and Frank Durante, Jane and Mac Irwin, Barbara and Bob Bigham, Cindy Williams, Susan Fisk, Kay Weeks, Monica Egert Smith, Melissa Hardage, Dyann and John Skelton, Leesa Alhadef, Fonda Arbetter, Sarah Roby and Joe Abbey, Nancy and Nuel Cates, Lindsay and Wyatt Abernethy, Lynn Brooks, Susan Robinson, Janet Sue Rush, Michelle Allums, Julia and Lee Fuqua and Sarah and Jody Hawn for brief remarks.
Hardin began by thanking the Cooleys, Eleanor, Beverly and this year’s Art in Bloom sponsors and supporters. She then announced that this year’s fundraiser marked the 20th anniversary of Art in Bloom, before recognizing all past chairs and honorary chairs including: Ann Dyer and Margaret McDermott (1999); Karen Matthews and Emma Sue Frank (2000); Janie Cooke, Jane Dunne and Charlene Marsh (2001); Pat McEvoy and Nancy Halbriech (2002); Rebecca Biggers and Dana Moore (2003); Glenda Cotner (2004); Susan Robinson, Lynn Brooks and Cynthia Mitchell (2005); Carol Resnick (2006); Bobbi Watkins and Milo Kirk (2007); Cathy Kincaid Hudson and Joanne Stroud (2008); Nancy Bierman, Faye Briggs, Harriet Gibbs and Diane Sealy (2009); Barbara Bigham and Jennifer and John Eagle (2010); Kathy Cothrum, Nancy Connor and Faye Gould (2011); Susan Fisk, Emily Maduro, Capera Ryan and Deborah Ryan (2012); Renee Querbes-Farren, Harriet Gibbs and Diane Sealy (2013); Barbara Durham and Barbara Bigham (2014); Barbara Daseke and Linda Ivy (2016); Sarah Jo Hardin and Jill Powell Goldberg (2017); and Dyann Skelton and Barbara and Steve Durham (2018).
As gratitude and recognition for their leadership, past chairmen were gifted a hand-blown glass flower created by glass artist Carlyn Ray. Each flower was unique for each recipient.
Eleanor then followed and echoed her thanks to all in attendance and reminded them of the upcoming Art in Bloom 2019: Joie des Fleurs, on Sunday, March 31, featuring Belgian-born Françoise Weeks, renowned for her woodland and botanical haute couture. The New Orleans-inspired celebration will offer live jazz entertainment, brunch and Weeks’ floral demonstration, as well as the third annual Art in Bloom Floral Exhibition, a unique display of floral arrangements created by local designers inspired by works from the Museum’s permanent collection.
Art in Bloom sponsors include Lisa and Clay Cooley, Peggy and Carl Sewell/Sewell Automotive Companies, Beverage Marketing Associates, Sixty Vines, Duckworth Distillery, Cindy Williams, Charles Schwab, Tartalicious, Marquee Event Rentals, PaperCity and MySweetCharity.
* Photo credit: Tamytha Cameron Smith