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Beaux Arts celebrated its 72nd annual ball on Saturday, Oct. 5, where 250 guests gathered for Miami’s longest-running and most anticipated costume gala, themed “Empire State of Mind.” Held at The Ritz-Carlton Coconut Grove, the fun and philanthropic night raised funds to benefit free admission to the University of Miami’s Lowe Art Museum and Beaux Arts’ educational programs.
Guests were transported to The Big Apple through an array of captivating New York-themed experiences. Broadway singers performed iconic selections from West Side Story and Phantom of the Opera, while a Statue of Liberty stilt walker welcomed attendees. Guests enjoyed passed Cosmos and Manhattans, with a Bacardi-sponsored bar fashioned as a New York newsstand.
Upon entering the ballroom, guests walked under a giant Brooklyn Bridge constructed next to the dancefloor. The tables, designed as classic yellow taxis and adorned with Empire State Buildings and mirrored skyscrapers, continued the New York theme. The evening culminated in a thrilling Times Square-style countdown to New Year’s Eve complete with a confetti blast, as the Marcia Mitchell Band closed the night with New York, New York and Empire State of Mind.
Chaired by Monica Mase, the evening raised more than $110,000, directly supporting the Lowe Art Museum and Beaux Arts’ outreach programs, which aim to engage children in the Miami-Dade community through arts education.
Emceed by Cynthia Demos, former CBS4 Miami News anchor, the annual costume contest was the highlight of the evening as the attendees’ always over-the-top costumes stole the show. During the costume parade and competition, each table showcased their imaginative and whimsical attire to the gala audience, featuring creative themes such as Macy’s Day Parade, Concrete Jungle, Studio 54, New York Fashion Week, and more.
Throughout the evening event-goers had the opportunity to bid on luxurious silent auction items including a four-night stay for 12 at an oceanfront villa in Casa de Campo, a three-night stay at The Moorings Village in Islamorada, a seven-night ski week stay in Breckenridge, an exclusive Napa Valley package with private tastings and tours at boutique vineyards, tickets to a live taping of Saturday Night Live, a VIP Inter Miami experience, Faena Theater and New World Symphony tickets, and gift certificates to Miami’s top restaurants including Joe’s Stone Crab, Bouchon Bistro, LPM Miami, Cote Korean Steakhouse, and Contessa, among many other highlights.
An enticing raffle featured coveted prizes such as a weekend stay in a Junior Suite at The Biltmore Hotel, a Valentino bag and luxury shopping experience at The Colonnade Outlets, and a stunning piece of jewelry from H&H Jewels.
“It’s a tremendous point of pride to celebrate our 72nd annual Beaux Arts Ball. As Miami’s oldest costume ball, we are immensely grateful to our countless supporters and sponsors who join us year after year for a festive and fun evening to raise pivotal funds for arts education,” said Ashley Andren and Jordan Kever, Beaux Arts co-presidents 2024-2025. “We are committed to enhancing Beaux Arts educational programs in our community and supporting the Lowe Art Museum for years to come.”
For over seven decades Beaux Arts has been committed to expanding arts education, appreciation and access in South Florida. Through the organization’s signature outreach programs, HandsOn! and Student Artist Showcase, thousands of children from underserved communities have been introduced to the world of art. Additionally, Beaux Arts’ support of the Lowe Art Museum at the University of Miami each year allows the museum to offer free admission to all patrons year-round.
The 72nd annual Beaux Arts Ball was sponsored generously by: University of Miami, Alpha School, Mase Seitz Briggs Trial Lawyers, The Andren & Pruitt Families, Jordan and Matt Kever, Ashley Cusack Team, Northern Trust, Jo-Ann Forster Team, Slesnick & Jochem, Becker, Peter & Aymee Zubizarreta Charitable Fund, Sportsman’s Adventures, Miami Dade College, Caroline and Carlos Medeiros, Lavender Greenberg PLLC, South Florida Integrative Medicine, Rey and Jessica Figueroa: The Keyes Company Commercial Real Estate, Caribe National Realty Corp., The Danial Family Foundation Inc., The Farber Law Firm, and Berkshire Hathaway / EWM.
Additional in-kind and underwriting sponsors included: Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, Bacardi, Michele Reese Events, Ruth & Cor Carruthers, 305 Hive, and Revive Surgical Institute.
Founded in 1952, Beaux Arts is a 100 percent volunteer organization comprised of nearly 100 women and more than 350 associates, whose purpose is to encourage an understanding and appreciation of the arts in South Florida through outreach programs and support of the Lowe Art Museum at the University of Miami.
Through major fundraising initiatives such as the annual Beaux Arts Ball and Festival of Art on the University of Miami campus, the organization is the largest group financial donor to the museum. In 2014, the organization donated a gift of $1.5 million to the Lowe Art Museum, which enabled the creation of the endowed position of Beaux Arts director and chief curator of the Lowe Art Museum, now held by Dr. Jill Deupi.
Having won the “White Award,” Beaux Arts was recognized as the University of Miami’s most effective donor through its combined contribution of more than $8 million in funds to support the Lowe. Beaux Arts has hosted over 25,000 children at the Beaux Arts Art Camp and supported more than 5,000 students from the Miami-Dade public school system with its annual HandsOn! program.
For more information, visit https://beauxartsmiami.org.
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