IT’S HAPPENING NOW

IT’S HAPPENING NOW

by | Oct 30, 2022 | R.S.V.P. SAN ANTONIO, 2022 November December, Parties

Artpace San Antonio Hosts Annual Artful Gala

By Jake Gaines       Photography by Francisco Cortes, courtesy of Artpace San Antonio

THE SETTING:  This year’s Artpace event, The Happening, was held at the Red Berry Estate. It began with a special cocktail reception in the mansion’s ballroom that featured a champagne bar sponsored by Neiman Marcus. Guests then proceeded to the lakeside ballroom for a stunning three course meal, highlighting real time, upscale cooking.

THE STYLE: After dinner, Riley Robinson, Director of Artpace San Antonio, introduced artist Teresita Fernández, one of the evening’s honorees. Fernández spoke of her artistic practice and the essential role Artpace’s International Artist-in-Residence program played in her career, and the 267 artists since. The program closed with the board chair, Patricia Ruiz-Healy, celebrating honoree Rick Liberto’s long standing leadership role at Artpace. The audience welcomed Liberto to the stage with a lengthy standing ovation.

The party then moved to a lakeside lounge, which featured Artpace 2017 Resident Artist, Robert Hodge, and DJing by OG IB (Ingrid Burley). Afterwards, the evening continued into the night at Red Berry’s famed casino. The RK Group provided the cuisine and Statue of Design created the floral décor. Blue House Design orchestrated the event’s production.

THE PURPOSE: Caroline Harte Staudt and Sarah Harte co-chaired the event. Artpace San Antonio is a nonprofit residency program, which supports Texas, national, and international artists in the creation of new art. As a catalyst for artistic expression, they engage local communities with global art practices and experiences. A successful annual gala is essential to sustain its free and dynamic programs. All proceeds benefit the organization’s residencies and public and educational programming.

GAMES PEOPLE PLAY

GAMES PEOPLE PLAY

by | Dec 30, 2021 | 2022 January February, R.S.V.P. SAN ANTONIO, Parties

Witte Museum Celebrates 51st Game Dinner

By Jake Gaines         Photography by Kurtis Kronk Photography

THE SETTING: The 51st Annual Witte Game Dinner, an iconic event in San Antonio, was held with pandemic protocol in place, outside the Witte Museum’s beautiful eight-acre campus in the Zachry Family Acequia Garden. The event’s theme, The Lone Star Revival, celebrated the organization’s emergence from survival mode to a new revival. And, for the Witte, it was a reinvigoration of its mission to have a part in shaping the future of Texas. Fireworks rounded off the celebrations as the total amount raised was announced, adding to the already sparkling evening.

THE STYLE: Many of San Antonio’s most philanthropic donned their Western finery for a night of delicious wild game cuisine by the RK Group, live auctions, and a live country music performance by Aaron Watson at the Mays Family Center. This year, the Witte honored Kathy Mays Johnson and the Mays Family Foundation as the Texas Heritage Award recipients for their impact on the organization and across the state.

THE PURPOSE: The event chairs, Dr. Bob and Stephanie Girling, and their committee created the theme for the evening that raised nearly $1.2 million to support the Museum’s recovery fund, including $115,000 in field trip funding. The Game Dinner is the Museum’s largest fundraiser, having funded educational programs, operations, and exhibitions for 51 years.

The pandemic made this year’s event crucial to ensure the funding needed for approximately 350,000 school-aged children and families to experience all the Witte has to offer, physically and virtually. XPEL and the Mays Family Foundation were the dinner’s presenting sponsors. Additional sponsors included Valero (Scholarship Sponsor), Dr. Bob and Stephanie Girling (Entertainment), and the Tex Elliott Family (Texas Heritage Awards).

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