Southwest School Of Art’s Gala Honors 35th Anniversary
By Rob Giardinelli Photography by Jerstad Photography
THE SETTING: The Coates Chapel and McNutt Garden at the Southwest School of Art in San Antonio, was the setting for an enchanting evening of fun for a worthy cause. The sold-out crowd of 640 guests who attended the Southwest School of Art’s annual gala were treated to an evening of exotic flair and décor perfectly fitting of a primordial Garden of Eden.
THE STYLE: The fun began from the moment guests entered the Coates Chapel greeted by tame and friendly serpents. The evening’s patrons were able to view and purchase fine art by many well-known artists and galleries, as well as original works from students currently in the Bachelor of Fine Arts program.
Partygoers then made their way to the McNutt Gardens for the main program where their table and ambiance décor, set against the backdrop of the lush grounds, was created by Danny Cuellar of Trinity Flowers & Events. Guests dined on savory braised beef short ribs served by the evening’s presenting sponsor, Club Giraud. A gala raffle that was capped off with a week in Berlin donated by Angelika Jansen Brown, led to the revelry that continued well into the evening for the Neiman Marcus After Party at the Urschel Administrative Building.
THE PURPOSE: The event was co-chaired by Cece Frost Griffin and James Griffin. All proceeds of the Southwest School of Art Gala always benefit all of the operations of the organization.