From sirens and sailors to Surfin’ USA, more than 250 people gathered at Biscayne Bay Yacht Club on Oct. 23 to raise funds for the arts at the Oceans Away-themed 57th Annual Beaux Arts Ball.
Beaux Arts Ball 2010 chairs Ashley Cusack and Martha Clarke ensured that guests were cast out to sea from the moment they entered into the underwater wonderland that, on most days, poses as Coconut Grove’s Biscayne Bay Yacht Club. With soft blue and green lighting, a mermaid greeted guests at the entrance.
The lawn was decorated with blues, greens and metallic silvers, and custom-made wind socks resembling large jellyfish which enclosed the dining area and surrounded massive TV screens with underwater scenes that played throughout the evening.
An elaborate skit contest featured a tie for first place between “Wipeout,” which made a grand entrance in an open Jeep and surprised guests with a chorus line and a finale with Cusack hoisted high above the crowd on a surfboard, and “Candyman,” a perfectly choreographed song and dance routine by a group of ladies and gents dressed in World War II era sailor attire.
Floating around the event were members and guests adorned in creative costumes, including channel markers, lobster traps, mermaids, pirates, sailors, surfers, and even the “BP Spew Crew” clean-up team, complete with an oil spill.
Funds raised from the event, including two Mediterranean cruises sold at $10,500 each by Sea Dream Yacht Club, as well as an expansive silent auction, benefit the Lowe Art Museum at the University of Miami.
Among other projects connected to the museum, Beaux Arts helps introduce underprivileged children throughout South Florida to the world of art through its own “Hands On!” outreach program. Within the program, Beaux Arts invites children from Title I elementary schools to visit the Lowe and use the museum’s resources to create and learn about art.
The ball committee included co-chairs Martha Clarke and Ashley Cusack, as well as Lynley Ciorobea, Vicky Hucks, Cristina Krislav, Jeanne Carbonell, Catherine Block, Kim Wood, Holli Kingsbury, Lu Coxhead, Cristina Boland, Sarah Pendergast, Andria Hanley, Heather Bass, Amy Steinhour, Alison O’Keefe, Michele Benesch, Julie Nance, Jamie Rusk, Denie Harris, Sharon Polo, Laurie McWilliams, Corey Gonzalez, Becky McCarron, Lori Del Vecchio, Mary Ann Griese, Christina Hudson, Allison Cohen, Anne Beaumont Neithardt, Blair Sonville, Sheri Mazariegos, Kristin Pearce, Nicole Lozano, Lauren Dowlen, Lani Drody, Stephanie Jackson, Lola Pegg, Allison Holly and Gina Gardner. In addition, Cara Brown, Tina Carlo, Mary Mills, Cece Sanford and Betsy Fantis served as associate advisors.
The ball’s sponsors were Bunny Bastian, TUUCI, Crispin Porter + Bogusky, EWM, Ashley Brinson Cusack, CBP Management, Margaux, BNY Mellon, Mercedes-Benz of Coral Gables and SeaHunter Boats.
Executive board members are Morgan Smith, president; Jennifer Pfleger, vice president; Grey Bryan, corresponding secretary; Camille Diaz, recording secretary; Diana Moll, treasurer, and Katie Butler, auxiliary treasurer.
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