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Thursday, January 24, 2008
Thursday: The New Saturday
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Alison Brock, left, and Kara Brothers at the Museum of Design Atlanta’s patron preview party
After a brief holiday hiatus, Atlanta’s social scene has roared back to life!
Early on this chilly Thursday evening I struck out for the Museum of Design Atlanta’s patron preview party, celebrating The Furniture of Eero Saarinen: Designs for Everyday Living.
The show opens Jan. 31 and runs through May 3. Details: www.museumofdesign.org.
I met Hope Myles in one part of the gallery, sipping champagne and commiserating about the blustery night. Likewise,Alison Brock and Kara Brothers still had their coats on as they admired works in another part of the gallery. Barbara Winchester was there with Roman Gershkovich.
Beverly Aarons, left, and Denise McInnis at the Center for Puppetry Arts
Next stop: an opening night reception at the Center for Puppetry Arts, where I met the delightful Joyce and Aaron Lanterman.
She’s a New Jersey native and he hails from St. Louis. They’re the kind of patron arts organizations just love.
“When we first moved down here in 2001, I started looking for things to do in Atlanta and I said, cool, puppets!” Joyce said. They quickly transitioned from fans to volunteers and members.
“We come to at least three or four shows a year, and always bring lots of friends,” Joyce said.
Thursday’s reception preceded the opening night performance of Anne Frank: Within & Without, by Bobby Box. It plays through Feb. 17. See www.puppet.org for details.
Anne Cross, from left, and Jack and Stacey Harris at the Center for Puppetry Arts
On the way out I visited with Anne Cross and Stacey and Jack Harris. Jack complimented S.B.’s evening bag, so let me pause here for a little shout-out to Leslie Fram. I got this cute bag - functional, snappy and inexpensive - at LUXE, the boutique she and Carole Davenport and Jenn Ripley own.
OK, back to it.
Phoebe Beasley, from left, Sandra Baccus and Tesa Render-Wallace at Armani
After the Puppetry Arts reception it was on to Giorgio Armani at Phipps, where a clutch of fabulistas turned out to welcome artist Phoebe Beasley.
The elegant Beasley, known for work in collage art, counts Oprah Winfrey and Maya Angelou among her clients.
“I get to interact with their lives every day,” she said. “That to me is the biggest high.”
Prominent Atlantan Sandra Baccus became familiar with Beasley’s work in the early 1980s, and became both collector and friend.
“I just love her as an individual and as an artist,” said Baccus, who holds 12 to 15 pieces of Beasley’s work. She plans a private event this spring where some 30 pieces will be available for purchase.
The crowd included Sally Dorsey, Joanne Chesler Gross, Jada Loveless, Juan and Judith Montier, Eileen Rosencrants and Tesa Render-Wallace. Oh, and a big welcome back to town to Nancy Staab, now editor-in-chief of the Atlantan, after a stint in Houston.
The courtly Juan Montier greets Phoebe Beasley
Alright, still with me? I ended the evening at the Cobb Galleria, in the company of some of my fellow Methodists who attended a capital campaign celebration dinner for Reinhardt College. The private school in Waleska is affiliated with the United Methodist Church.
I snuck in the back just as President J. Thomas Isherwood was beginning his remarks.
“What makes us different? Too many today are willing to make passing references to their values. I believe strongly that faith drives Reinhardt College.”
I’ll follow up with Reinhardt to see who all attended the function, but I spotted a few familiar faces as the crowd dispersed, including Marietta lawyer Tom Browning and State Rep. Steve “Thunder” Tumlin (R-Marietta).
And the Rev. and Mrs. Sam Matthews, who serve First United Methodist Church.
It was a long night, and a cold one. But when your work day ends with a hug from your minister, it has been a good one.
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