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SHOW ME THE MONETA world-class city deserves world-class art.

In 2010, the Vancouver Art Gallery first brought us Leonardo da Vinci. In 2016, it was Pablo Picasso and his Muses. This summer, it is French impressionist Claude Monet.

Billed as the most comprehensive exhibition of Monet’s work in Canada in more than two decades, 38 paintings spanning the artist’s lengthy career will be on display at the Vancouver Art Gallery beginning this weekend.

Five years in the planning, senior curator Ian Thom commands this summer’s most anticipated show in collaboration with the Musee Marmottan Monet, home of the largest collection of Monet’s works of art.

Launching the exhibition was the garden party of the season. Another hotly anticipated affair, 400 guests descended the grand staircase of the Vancouver Art Gallery to enter Monet’s Secret Garden of Giverny for an unforgettable evening of philanthropy.

Chaired by Pamela Richardson and Priscilla Lam, the event attracted the city’s top philanthropists and champions of art and creativity. At $1,000 a ticket, all 400 seats were sold for the lavish affair that included an exclusive preview of the summer exhibition.

Eleven pieces were hung for partygoers to view during the sparkling reception. After many exchanges of air kisses and examinations of the works of art, attendees made their way outside to the tent erected to resemble the fabled gardens.

Celsia Floral, Flower Factory, Granville Island Florist and the Social Concierge transformed the space into an enchanting oasis. CBC’s Andrew Chang and yours truly presided over the lush luau.

Following a dinner catered by Culinary Capers and Mission Hill Family Estate, art enthusiasts raised their paddle at every opportunity presented; from luxury art excursions in Hong Kong to partying with the cast of Saturday Night Live.

But the biggest bid was saved for a salon dinner with VAG director Kathleen Bartels and curator Thom. The private dinner for 12 with the gallery’s senior team fetched an impressive $50,000, contributing to an extraordinary $1 million raised for the venerable arts organization.

WISE SWISH SPLASH The Vancouver Aquarium presented its annual Night at the Aquarium, presented by PCL Constructors.

Another sold-out affair, the party faithful once again enjoyed a wonderful evening of food and drink amid the backdrop of the aquarium’s stunning galleries. Led by party chairs Tina Rowntree and Bert

Hick, the couple welcomed guests to the collaborative Ocean Wise four-course dinner prepared by Vancouver’s top chefs

Ned Bell, Robert Clark, Frank Pabst and James Walt in support of the marine science centre.

This year’s gala marked a turning point in the organization’s storied 61 years — CEO John Nightingale announced the firm’s Ocean Wise program has gone global.

Founded a dozen years ago as a sustainable seafood effort adopted by many producers, fishermen and chefs on the West Coast, the program is boldly going global, looking to expand its reach to become a world leader in ocean conservation focused on protecting and restoring the world’s ocean, and identifying other champions to support healthy waters.

The new strategy resonated with the 350 patrons in attendance. Through various fundraising activities staged throughout the night, the crowd generously contributed more than $380,000 to ocean conservation programs, education outreach initiatives, and the Aquarium’s Marine Mammal Rescue Centre, a hospital and care facility for sick, injured or orphaned marine mammals.

The only facility of its kind in Canada, the rescue program saves more than 100 marine mammals annually, rehabilitating them for release back into their natural habitat.

Society doyennes Pamela Richardson and Priscilla Lam chaired this summer’s most anticipated garden party on the front steps of the Vancouver Art Gallery. Four hundred guests shelled out $1,000 a ticket to support the venerable art institution. PHOTOS:...

De Beers owner Oleg Minchenko, OpenRoad president and CEO Christian Chia and financier Eric Woo were among the leading men in attendance at the party. Chia’s last-minute major gift catapulted the night’s tally past the $1-million mark.

Gala attendees Ada Fung and Alice and David Chung enjoyed the exclusive sneak peek of Claude Monet’s Secret Garden, an exhibition of 38 exquisite works of art by the French impressionist painter.

Prominent couples Allen and Karen Wong and Cecilia and Edmund Heung were among the major supporters who contributed to the VAG’s successful night.

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Vancouver Art Galley chief curator Daina Augaitis and senior curator Ian Thom gave attendees a sneak peek of the Claude Monet Exhibition on display this summer. Thirty-eight pieces will be on display by the acclaimed artist. Thom curated the show,...

Nordstrom marketer Veronica Bailey introduced the Vancouver store’s newest general manager, Loredana Grama, to the stylish set at the garden party. Grama replaces Chris Wanlass after he accepted the top job at Nordstrom’s soon to open New York location.

Vern and Nicole Milani made the red carpet parade entering Monet’s Secret Garden of Giverny for the VAG’s signature summer soirée.

Yew Restaurant’s general manager Marc Hobauer, sales director Alissa Horn and executive chef Weimar Gomez offered up delicious canapés during the Taittinger champagne reception. Vancouver Aquarium’s big fish Bert Hick and Tina Rowntree once again led...

Night at the Aquarium attendee Joshua McVeity made a new friend at the annual Ocean Wise four-course dinner and auction.

Aquarium patrons Deidre Smith and Lisa Wilkinson supported the efforts of Dr. Martin Helena’s Marine Mammal Rescue Centre, the only facility of its kind in Canada. This year’s event garnered more than $380,000 from supporters.

Ocean Wise vice-president of research Andrew Day, Vancouver Aquarium board member Barb Meens Thistle and major donor Lois Nahirney enjoyed a wonderful evening of food and drink amid the backdrop of the aquarium’s stunning galleries.

Vancouver Aquarium CEO John Nightingale, accompanied by his wife, Jacqueline Gjissen, announced the efforts to take its Ocean Wise program globally, as a leader of ocean conservation.