The Crowd -- B.W. Cook
The Art of Dining XV, produced by Lido Isle’s elegant Joan Riach and
co-chaired by two exceptionally dynamic women, Diane Coon and Erin
Trunel, attracted the best and the brightest of society in support of the
Orange County Museum of Art.
Over the past decade and a half, the Art of Dining has become one of
the most prestigious social-cultural events on the Newport Coast. The
show -- and it is very much a show in many aspects, from the decor to the
cuisine to the presentations and honorees -- is created with unparalleled
attention to detail. The chair and the committee are focused on
producing an event that maximizes funds raised for the museum while at
the same time offering a cutting-edge party, full of surprises and
stimulation.
Riach, Coon and Trunel pulled out all the stops under an enormous
white tent erected adjacent to the Orange County Performing Arts Center.
Four hundred dazzling guests, dressed to kill and showing off the family
jewels, paraded past the valets into the big top to sip a little sunset
champagne and check out the competition.
Along with the Center’s Candelight Concert, which unfolds at
Christmastime, the Art of Dining ranks as the party of the year on the
Orange Coast. The entrance fee has grown from the early days, when $150
per person was requested, to a present donation minimum of $1,000 per
person. Many donors contribute five- and even six-figure sums as part of
their annual giving allotment. Thanks to the community generosity, the
Art of Dining reaches and surpasses enormous fund-raising goals,
contributing close to a half-million dollars to the museum each and every
year.
The crowd included the exceptionally chic Zee Allred, international
socialites Marsha and Daryl Anderson, man-about-town George Argyros Jr.,
dedicated art patrons Alison and Oscar Frenzel, community leaders Barbara
and Alex Bowie, and best-dressed Pat and Alan Rypinski. They were whisked
into the tent as Escada models paraded the perimeter, exhibiting fabulous
fashion.
Artist Norman Wisdom painted a backdrop in the cocktail area of the
tent that was backlighted so guests could witness a work in progress. It
was only one of the marvelous details that brought the Art of Dining to
life. Lighting designers hung spots from the rafters of the tent,
illuminating table centerpieces of handblown glass created by artist
Caleb Siemon and metal sculpture by Guy Ferrer commissioned for the
event. Museum curators also carefully positioned projected images of
artwork from OCMA’s current exhibition “The 2002 California Biennial.”
The evening was dedicated to Orange County’s most prominent citizen,
Henry T. Segerstrom, attending with his beautiful bride, Elizabeth.
Segerstrom has been the visionary force between the worlds of business
and culture in this community, elevating Orange County, in particular
Newport-Mesa, to world-renowned status. Segerstrom was joined in the
honorable circle by artist John Baldessari, accepting the applause and
accolades of a grateful community.
As dinner was served, prepared by Executive Chef Paul Squicciarini of
Robert Mondavi Wine and Food Center in Costa Mesa, guests danced into the
evening as Art Deco and his Society orchestra entertained.
Patti and Jim Edwards, Gordon and Reta Fishman, Marlene and Samuel
Hammontree, Pat and Gene Hancock, Maralou and Jerry Harrington, Dee and
Larry Higby, Carole and Randy Johnson, Teri and John Kennady, Carolyn and
Bill Klein, Victoria and Gil LeVasseur, Whitney and Jerry Mandel, Gail
and Roger Kirwan, Twyla and Charles Martin, and Carl and Pat Neisser were
among the ardent art patrons sponsoring the spectacular party that closed
the evening with a very intimate performance by Grammy-winning jazz
artist Diane Schuur.
The evening was sponsored and underwritten by many corporate
benefactors, with significant support coming from event benefactor JP
Morgan Private Bank. Others deserving ink include textile house Frette;
South Coast Plaza; and Fletcher Jones Motor Cars, Merceds-Benz. The
upscale car purveyor donated a rare new 2003 SL500 roadster to the top
bidder in the silent auction, donating all profits over the $90,000 base
price to the museum. Special kudos to the evening’s mistress of
ceremonies, Andrea Fiuczynski, president of Christie’s Los Angeles, for
an outstanding job at the microphone.
In a sentimental and sincere moment, a tribute was made to Naomi Vine,
founding director of the museum, who passed away on Christmas Eve last
year. Vine, 52, touched the lives of countless Orange County residents
who respected her.
* THE CROWD appears Thursdays and Saturdays.
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