By: centraljersey.com
Inspired by one of the museum’s newest acquisitions – an exquisite Korean celadon ewer – and celebrating the museum’s extraordinary Asian collections, the Princeton University Art Museum hosted its annual fundraising gala on Feb. 5. This year’s event, the elegant "East Meets Fete," began with cocktails at the Art Museum, followed by dinner and dancing at Prospect House, adjacent to the museum. Presented by the Friends of the Museum, the gala provides essential financial support for the museum’s educational and outreach programs.
"We were thrilled to head ‘East Meets Fete’ – the gala is always one of the highlights of the Princeton social calendar," said Betsy Sauder, who along with Linda Friedman served as the co-chair for the 2011 Gala. "Not only was the gala a fantastic party, it’s the ideal opportunity to draw attention to the museum and the wealth of educational programs it offers to everyone in the community."
Committed to connecting campus life with broader audiences of all ages, interests and cultural backgrounds, the museum strives to ensure that the visual arts are a part of the educational experience at Princeton, and to extend its reach to the regional, national and international communities. Funds raised by the gala allow the museum to offer programs that encourage lifelong learning, excite the imagination and create a uniquely welcoming environment that bridges scholarship and public engagement. Thanks to its generous patrons, the Museum’s educational and outreach programs offer a gateway to the arts for all visitors – scholars and second graders alike – at no charge.
"The Museum’s annual gala is one of our signature programs, as well as one of the most anticipated events on the Princeton social calendar," said museum director James Steward. "In a single evening it embodies our commitment to bringing together our regional community with the university family and returning alumni from around the country in support of one of the nation’s leading art museums."
"Betsy and I knew immediately that we wanted to choose a signature object from the museum’s collections of Asian art," said Ms. Friedman. "The moment curator Cary Liu showed us the celadon ewer, we knew we had found our inspiration. We were completely drawn in by its subtle but extraordinarily beautiful details and the glorious colors of the glaze."
Along with decor that transformed Prospect House for the evening, "East Meets Fete" featured delectable Asian fusion cuisine, signature cocktails and the music of Courtney Colletti.
Gala sponsors included Dr. and Mrs. John C. Alexander; Len and Laura Berlik; Bloomberg, L.P.; Mrs. James E. Burke; Cardinal Partners; Christopher L. Eisgruber and Lori A. Martin; Glenmede Trust Co.; Cheryl and Elliot Gursky; Heather and Paul G. Haaga Jr.; Vera and Immanuel Kohn; Catherine and David Loevner; Bill and Judith Scheide, and Enea and David Tierno.
On the Web: http://artmuseum.princeton.edu.
