Dine and D’Art
Tennis shoes may not be de rigueur for a fundraising gala. But then, Dine & D’Art isn’t your typical fancy-pants bash.
As guests have learned from years past, comfy tennis shoes sure beat out pointy-toed stilettos when the D’Art-ing begins.
Dine & D’Art, which helps fund ArtReach Denver’s year-round effort to let those with physical, mental, behavioral or economic challenges enjoy plays, concerts, museum visits and more, begins with a cocktail hour spent socializing and checking out artwork donated by local and national painters, photographers, jewelers, sculptors and potters.
Everyone makes a mental note of their favorites because after dinner, they’re sent out in waves to literally run to the display area and claim the piece by placing a colored sticker on it.
And speed is of the essence when more than one guest has the same favorite.
Dine & D’Art 2017 was held at Kuni Lexus in Greenwood Village, and executive director Karla Johnson-Grimes noted that while her organization has gone through “a rough couple of years, we have bounced back and are serving 30,000 people a year” by providing free admission to activities they otherwise might not be able to experience.
“Art heals your soul and mind,” Johnson-Grimes noted, adding that it is especially helpful to clients like cancer survivors, wounded war veterans and those experiencing homelessness. “To be taken away, even for a couple of hours, makes a world of difference for them.”
Those enjoying an evening that included dinner by Painted Bench Catering and an auction called by Libby Pollack of the Auction Divas included the Denver Zoo’s chief financial officer, Charlie Wright and his wife, Anne; Jeff Hovorka, director of sales and marketing at the DCPA; actor/vocalist Thad Valdez; Tim Harris, former manager of Jax Fish House, and his wife, Cari; Frame de Art’s Brian Hart and his wife, Shelley; and Beverly Ausfahl, retired president of the Colorado Education Association.
Also, Nancy Hopper; Realtor Peggy Brannick; Lindsey Dechant, owner/ instructor at Overstreet Dance Center; Joe McCormick, a program development officer for the Colorado Health Network, with husband Clark VanderBroek, a vice president at Leopard Communications; former ArtReach board member Tricia Miller; David Heller; Kay Ray; Maralee McLean; and Joe Zevin.
Joanne Davidson: 303809-1314, partiwriter@hotmail.com and @joannedavidson on Twitter