Laguna Art Museum's Gala Raises $600K

LAGUNA BEACH, CA — On Saturday, September 21, 2019, Laguna Art Museum launched its second century with Gala 2019.

Approximately 270 guests enjoyed an evening with performance art, dancing, and fine dining, hosted by Masters of Ceremonies Chuck Henry and Fritz Coleman.

The new annual event raised over $600,000 in support of Laguna Art Museum’s mission to be the premier museum for California art and a center of culture for Laguna Beach.

At the Festival of Arts grounds in Laguna Beach, guests arrived to creative cocktails by Código 1530 and House of Carbonadi.

The cocktail hour culminated with a sculptural installation and dance performance by Lita Albuquerque and Jasmine Albuquerque, respectively. Mother and daughter offered this original piece, entitled Ash, to honor their past and signal the next stage of their lives.

Inspired by ash-covered remnants that survived the fire when Lita’s home and studio were burned in the 2018 Woolsey fire, a dance performance by Jasmine and fellow dancers culminated with sand from Lita’s installed bowls pouring over the dancers in a final tableau.

Guests were captivated to witness the performance as a dialogue between mother and daughter, art and dance.

A three-course dinner featured an entrée by Chef Craig Strong, Owner of Ocean at Main in Laguna Beach, paired with exquisite wines from the Boisset Collection of unique wineries.

During dinner, guests enjoyed a lively program by hosted by Masters of Ceremonies Chuck Henry and Fritz Coleman, co-anchor and weathercaster for NBC4 News. Malcolm Warner, Laguna Art Museum’s executive director, led the highlights of the program with the presentation of awards to the evening’s honorees.

Longtime supporters and community philanthropists Jane and Joe Hanauer were recognized as the Honorary Chairs for Gala 2019. Warner described that the exemplary couple have gone above and beyond in support of organizations in Laguna Beach. Jane served as a museum Trustee for over eight years, and Joe, a vital advocate to help secure the four-year $1 million Matching Grant for both Laguna Art Museum and Laguna Playhouse, recently joined the museum’s Board of Trustees.

Lita Albuquerque received the museum’s 2019 Wendt Award, which recognizes individuals who have made significant contributions to California art. Albuquerque has created an expansive body of work that ranges from painting, sculpture, poetry, and multi-media performances to large-scale ephemeral projects in sites around the globe. In 2014 her outdoor performance An Elongated Now was the centerpiece of the museum’s Art & Nature festival, and since 2015 she has served on the museum’s Board of Trustees.

Chuck Henry and Fritz Coleman continued the program, which led to a live auction of three exclusive opportunities. One lucky bidder won a private dining experience for twelve at Benjamin Martinek’s Chef’s Table at Studio at Montage Laguna Beach; another will enjoy a wine tasting experience for fifteen guests at Laguna Art Museum, with wines from the Boisset Collection and a tour by executive director Malcolm Warner; and a once-in-a-lifetime private art and travel experience was secured by the winner who will travel with artist Lita Albuquerque and Laguna Art Museum executive director Malcolm Warner to New York for a tailored itinerary of visits to museums, galleries, private collections, and an exclusive preview of the Frieze New York art fair.

A spirited paddle-raise to support the museum followed the live auction, bringing the fundraising at the event to more than $130,000 of unrestricted support to fund exhibitions, educational programs, and essential operations. The celebration continued into the evening with an illuminated dance floor and music by SoulCirque.

Lead sponsors for the event included the Honarkar Family and an anonymous donor; Jane and Joe Hanauer, Laura and Louis Rohl, Elie Weaver and Hilton Weinberg; NBC4, Ocean at Main, Young’s Market Company; Villa, Boisset Collection, Brew Dr. Kombucha, Broadway by Amar Santana, Brite Ideas, Brooks Street Books, Coast Magazine, Codigo 1530, Crevier Classic Cars, Gorjana, House of Carbonadi, Kohn Gallery, Laguna Candles, Laguna Cellar, Montage Laguna Beach, PPS Parking & Transportation, Skinfix, Zeytoon, Zinc Café & Market, and ZO Skin Center.

The Gala 2019 co-chairs were Deborah Engle, Kristin Samuelian, and Elie Weaver; and the committee members were Kathleen Abel, Wendy Aird, Rick Balzer, Ann Coffee, Susan Davis, Michelle Fisher, Chuck Fry, Amy Fulford, Jane Hanauer, Betsy Jenkins, Lucetta Kallis, Laura Rohl, Lester Savit, Deborah Schlesinger, Marnie Wall, Blythe Wheaton, Lizanne Witte, and Susie Wood.