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.