Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette
Museum gets in full swing
Chefs boost garden
Abaker’s dozen of local chefs and restaurants boosted the Botanical Garden of the Ozarks on Sept. 12 at Chefs in the Garden in Fayetteville. Chefs in the regional event hailed from Bentonville to Fayetteville and Siloam Springs to Eureka Springs. Serving as the evening’s honorary chef was Vince Pianalto, pastry and baking instructor at Brightwater: A Center for the Study of Food. The 10th annual event garnered more than $44,000 for the garden.
Guests strolled the garden grounds enjoying cooking demonstrations and samples that included several avant-garde takes on classic dishes. Offerings included citrus-infused olive oil cake from Chef Pianalto and white truffle and pecorino burger, served with house-made hummus and signature cocktail Velvet Orange from Big Orange, soon to open in Rogers. Big Orange took top honors for People’s Choice and Chefs’ Choice.
Others offering tastes were 28 Springs, Bonefish Grill, Bordinos Restaurant and Wine Bar, Cafe Rue Orleans, Fork & Crust Pie Co., Local Flavor Cafe, Meiji Japanese Cuisine, Mockingbird Kitchen, Modern Ozark Dining, The Farmer’s Table Cafe and Vetro 1925 Ristorante.
Those enjoying sips and samples in the garden included Tracey and Scott Farmer, Judy and Bill Schwab, Marnie and Gary Hill, Paula and Gig Siemens, Rosemary and George Faucette, Beverly Block and Greg House, Susan and Tony Hui, Shannon and Terryl Ortego, Wincie and Jerry Hendricks and Kathy and Don Pederson.
Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art launched its latest temporary exhibition, Stuart Davis: In Full Swing with a preview and Director’s Reception on Sept. 14 at the museum in Bentonville.
Davis, an early American modernist painter, is credited with being a leader in the development of American modern art.
Alice Walton, museum founder and chairwoman, told those on hand for the preview, Davis “is my idol — an American entrepreneur in art.” Of the exhibition, Walton added, “It may be the best show we’ve ever done.” The exhibition will run through Jan. 1.
Earl Davis, Stuart’s son, had high praise for Margi Conrads, Crystal Bridges director of curatorial affairs, and her curatorial team, saying “My father would be proud.”
Among those on hand for the preview were Jackye Finch, Chris Goddard, Cynthia McClanahan, Melissa Cherry, Mary Ann and Reed Greenwood, Nancy Martin and Alan Lewis, Margaret Whillock, Zeek Taylor and Dick Titus, Evelyn and Dennis Shaw, Lindsay Crocket, Jason Howard, Don Deweese, Diane and Mark Simmons, Marvelyn Stout, Deborah Wright, Susan and Jim von Gremp, Archie Schaffer and Helen Porter and James Dyke, exclusive sponsors of the exhibition.
For more event photos — nwadg.com/photos/society.