Party at Gertie's -- August 11, 2012

     Have you seen “Midnight in Paris,” the charming film by Woody Allen?  By the 1930’s, Paris had become a worldwide center for artistic avant-garde and freethinking intellectuals.  This summer, the Valley Art Center saluted one of the era’s most influential people, Gertrude Stein, with PARTY AT GERTIE'S.  VAC transformed its building into Paris 1930’s with a marketplace, shops, artists and of course the Eiffel Tower! 
     The Parisian cityscape was evident as our Margaret Bowen Gallery delighted guests with skylights opening the night sky on the Eiffel Tower; piano by Tom Scot and vocals by Mary Ann Breisch;  Bourbon Tasting by Brown-Forman Corp.; and, small shops with pastries and chocolates by Desserts by Sugar Me Dessertierie, flowers, and cigars—a selection offered for purchase by Chagrin Cigar with a percentage benefitting VAC.
     Downstairs, outside the pottery studio, a Parisian-style Smoking Tent
was created for the cigar aficionados to engage in lively conversation while enjoying their wonderful, newly purchased cigars!  
     Our art auction was created by local artists who graciously donated  their own artwork that guests previewed at 27 Rue de Fleurus--Gertie’s apartment!  This famous address was a perfect backdrop for all the wonderful one-of-a-kind pieces of art!
      Trifles Catering served French-inspired heavy hors d’oeuvres
in a Provincial marketplace setting along with libations at Harry's New York Bar!     
      The evening was complete with a "dress as your favorite 1930’s era character" Costume Contest.  And to the delight of the guests, Gertie herself joined us! 

Thank you to our Sponsors!
Your continued support of VAC allows us to continue our
mission to present, promote and teach visual arts in the Chagrin Valley.

PABLO PICASSO LEVEL (Platinum)
John & Ann Beringer
  
E. SCOTT FITZGERALD LEVEL (Gold) 
    Dr. Shelly & Jan Jones Artz
John & Susan Bartos
Charles H. Giles & Fanny M. Giles Memorial Foundation
   Rich & Tricia Kaman
The Lubrizol Foundation   
The O'Brien Law Firm LLC
The Sylvia & Heath Oliver Foundation

HENRI MATISSE (Bronze)
Balance Products
Andrew Rayburn
Lawrence Oscar & Jeanne Shatten

PAUL GAUGUIN (Copper)
Cindy Christie
Jan Mettee
Nancy Schramm of Chagrin Valley Little Theater