Designs to help curb addiction

B.W. COOK

The Decorative Arts Society, benefiting a substance abuse recovery

center called New Directions for Women, will return this year with

its ninth annual series of programs focusing on the decorative arts.

Last fall, interior designer David Easton came to Newport Beach

from New York City to launch the series. Easton addressed the local

crowd on “America at Home: The tradition of our past, the challenge

of our future.” Easton was lauded at a cocktail reception hosted by

Newport antique dealer Tom Stansbury, attended by dedicated

Decorative Arts volunteers including Ann Dennis, Sandra Ayres, Elana

Donovan, Louise Ewing, Carolyn Garrett and Joan Sammis.

The respected associate curator of the Metropolitan Museum of Art

in New York, Thomas Campbell, followed with a lecture on Renaissance

tapestry. Supporting Campbell were Lois Tingler, Marion Palley,

Carole Steele, Jamie Shepherdson, and Cecilia Nott. Finally, before

the holidays, the much-admired decorator from Oklahoma, Charles

Faudree, returned to Newport for a reception and a book-signing

hosted by designer Ann Dennis in her salon.

Now the remainder of the series awaits. On Feb. 3, Bill Stern,

executive director of the Museum of California Design, is due in

town. Stern will be followed by Alastair Crawford, co-founder of the

Silver Fund in London, speaking on the legacy of Georg Jensen on

March 2. To conclude the distinguished series, Keith Wiley, director

of the Garden House in Devon, England, will jet into Newport to talk

about the development of a unique English Garden. All of the lectures

are presented at the Newport Stadium Theaters, preceded by a morning

coffee reception.

The Decorative Arts Society is comprised of more than 300 members

supporting services for women recovering from alcohol or other

chemical dependencies associated with New Directions for Women. Also

involved are Meredith Graves-Foreman, Sharon Henwood, Margie Jager,

Mary Anna Jeppe, Maureen Madigan, Bonnie McClellan, Ann Michaelsen,

Keith Ramming, Dennis Scholz, and Peggy Strong. For more information,

call (714) 708-2555.

* THE CROWD appears Thursdays and Saturdays.