Joining the season’s debutantes: W Hotel

SB has fond memories of deb days.

In my hometown, young ladies learned handy etiquette tips and worked on various charity projects, like delivering flowers at the nursing home or hospital. The ball gave us a chance to wear pretty white dresses and elbow-length gloves while rotating slowly around the ballroom with ribbons held above our heads. I can’t tell you how many times that skill has come in handy.

Anyway, the new W hotel in Buckhead plans its coming-out debut for Jan. 22. The “W-Tante Ball” announcement is quite a hoot. A mock-up of an old-time society page, it says the grand event will start at 7:30 p.m. and promises more details will follow.

“Frankly, my dear, you’d be a fool to miss it,” the vintage-looking missive sniffs. (You have to love an invite with a bite.) When they let me know more, I’ll let you know more. For now, just write if you’d like tips on carrying a ribbon above your head. I’ll be happy to show you.

Moving the arts forward

The Forward Arts Foundation and Saks Fifth Avenue showcased Veronica Etro’s spring 2009 collection at a Dec. 8 luncheon held at the Buckhead Ritz-Carlton. Tracey Tomlinson DeRosa and Rebecca Smith co-chaired the event, and saluted Saks general manager Cathie Wilson’s efforts to make the annual event happen.

The event’s honorary chairwoman was DeRosa’s mother, Sally Tomlinson, a past president of membership of the Forward Arts Foundation. Guests included Sherry Ranck, Courtney McMillan, Aimee Nix, Sharon Clarke, Susan Walters Ashby, Tiffany Gough, B. J. Griffin, Betsy Hale, Jean Astrop, Carolyn Vigtel and Susan Tucker.

The Forward Arts Foundation, founded in 1965, is based at the Swan Coach House. Through the management of the restaurant, shop and gallery there, along with revenues from various events, the foundation supports the visual arts in Atlanta.

Speaking of the Swan Coach House gallery, Eric P. Widing, senior vice president for American paintings with the Christie’s auction house, visited recently for a reception. The event, for Atlanta arts patrons and Forward Arts Foundation members, showcased pieces by Winslow Homer, Childe Hassam and Edward Potthast, flown from New York for the occasion.

Here and there

The Cobb Arts Ball, benefiting United Arts of Cobb, raised $65,000 for its endowment fund. Held last month at the Cobb Galleria Centre, the bash featured dinner and casino games. Honorary co-chairs were U.S. Sen. Johnny Isakson and wife Dianne. Cobb Commission Chairman Sam Olens and wife Lisa chaired the host committee. First Landmark Bank president Ron Francis, the chairman of United Arts of Cobb, chaired the ball with wife Claire. United Arts of Cobb aims to build its endowment to $1 million and distribute the interest generated to its member organizations. Info: www.unitedartsofcobb.org… . Looking ahead, the 20th Annual American Craft Council Show will be at the Cobb Galleria Centre March 13-15. The preview party benefits Youth Art Connection/Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Atlanta. The event is planned for the evening of March 12. Tix are $75 and attire is dressy-casual. Lucinda Bunnen, Melissa Bunnen Jernigan and Belinda Bunnen Reusch co-chair the preview party. Matt Brill is the youth party chairman. Tania Becker and Marianne Lambert are preview party founding co-chairwomen. Info: www.youthartconnection.com, www.craftcouncil.org.

butterfly@ajc.com