McNay Art Museum Celebrates Gala With 90s Theme

By Leanne Raesener         Photography by David Sixt

THE SETTING: The McNay Art Museum’s gala, Dining With The Masters: Fashion Nirvana, recently provided over 300 of San Antonio’s notables, sociables, and arts patrons the exclusive opportunity to dine among the masterpieces. The elegant evening also offered an exclusive preview of the spring blockbuster Fashion Nirvana: Runway to Everyday. This cutting-edge exhibition, from gowns to grunge, is the first-ever major presentation devoted to the art of fashion at the McNay. Featuring over 40 garments by Escada, John Paul Gaultier, Christian Lacroix, Todd Oldham, Oscar de la Renta, Versace, and Vera Wang, to name a few, the exhibit celebrated the designers, models, artists, and celebrities who made the 90s an iconic decade.

THE STYLE: Patrons posed in front of a 90s inspired graffiti wall designed by artist Elizabeth Carrington before they made their way inside the museum as the festivities commenced. The cocktail hour was held in the venue’s courtyard where guests enjoyed a raw seafood bar and were entertained by break-dancers and DJ Sara Jessop, who played popular 90s hits.

 The dinner tables were strategically placed in the Fashion Nirvana exhibition and museum lobby. The committee did an amazing job with décor–minimal and elegant, which let talented David Garcia with Statue of Design create stunning ombre centerpieces, including clouds made entirely of baby’s breath. Don Strange of Texas treated guests to a sumptuously catered dinner of Asian inspired cuisine. During the meal, everyone showed their appreciation by funding over 140 field trips to the museum. After dinner, guests made their way to the after party for dancing led by the band Finding Friday and enjoyed 90s inspired snacks as well as a boozy inspired Capri Sun.

THE PURPOSE: Corinna and J.B. Richter chaired the event, presented by The Tobin Endowment and Frost Bank, which is the largest annual fundraiser for the museum. Proceeds from the gala benefited the McNay’s education, exhibition, and conservation programs, enabling the museum to continue its mission of engaging a diverse community in the discovery and enjoyment of the visual arts.