by Caroline Gabsewics
Staff Writer
For one night, the Cummer Museum of Art & Gardens will transform into ancient Egypt for the Cummer Museum Ball & Auction on April 21.
This year marks the 30th anniversary of the Cummer Museum Ball & Auction, and to commemorate the Ball’s anniversary, the Cummer Council served as the presenting sponsor for their past exhibit: “Temples and Tombs.” The event is at the museum and begins at 6 p.m.
Money raised at the Ball & Auction will go to the funding of the “Temples and Tombs” exhibit that was at the museum from Dec. 22 - March 18. Kim Sears who is handling the event’s public relations this year said this is the first year the Cummer Council has ever funded a specific exhibit.
“The money raised at the event goes to the museum’s acquisition funds that helps acquire new art work,” she said. “For the past 29 years that is where the money has gone, this year it went to fund the Egyptian exhibit and next year the money will go back to the acquisition fund.”
In past years, there were 500 tickets available and every year the event sold out. This year, since the Cummer recently expanded their museum, there is more space and they are planning on selling 800 tickets.
“The event is a good source of funding for the museum and raises several $100,000’s each year,” said Sears.
This year’s Ball is themed, “Egyptian Evening” and will include everything from live camels to a party barge on the river. The St. Johns River will transform into the Nile River where the party barge will be located. There will be a bridge from the Cummer Gardens to go onto the barge where there will be a bar set up for the guests. Sears said the first Cummer Ball & Auction used a barge on the river, and this year they decided to bring it back because of the Egyptian theme.
Guests will be greeted by live camels and make their way through large columns, torches, palms and papyrus. There will be a Hooka Tent and the Souk and “Heb-Sed” lounge. Kim added that they will also have belly dancers at the event.
The evening will feature a live and silent auction, hors d’oeuvres, a seated dinner and dancing in the gardens. Live entertainment is provided by “Splash!,” a group of four vocalists with a six-piece horn and rhythm section. “Splash!” has performed at the Academy Awards Governor’s Ball as well as for Hollywood greats Elizabeth Taylor, Tom and Rita Hanks and Kate and Steven Spielberg.
For more information about tickets and sponsorship opportunities call Melanie Jensen at 899-6038 or e-mail her at [email protected].
Egyptian Evening 30th Anniversary Cummer Ball & Auction
Private Gallery Dining Experience (Limited to four galleries)
• $18,000 private gallery for a party of 12
• $24,000 private gallery for a party of 16
• ($3,000 per couple) $2,760 tax deductible per couple
Purchase of private gallery includes:
• All Master Benefactor tickets to the Ball & Auction
• Exclusive décor and design of your gallery by an interior designer
• Round-trip transportation to the Ball
• Personal wait service with music and wine
• Exclusive live entertainment
• Reserved seating at the live auction
Master Benefactor $2,500 ($2,260 tax deductible)
• Includes 2 tickets to the Ball & Auction
• Round-trip transportation to the Ball
• Gallery dining with music and wine
• Reserved seating at the live auction
Grand Benefactor $1,500 ($1,360 tax deductible)
• Includes 2 tickets to the Ball & Auction
• Gallery dining with music and wine
• Reserved seating at the live auction
Benefactor $1,000 ($860 tax deductible)
• Includes 2 tickets to the Ball & Auction
• Gallery dining with music and wine
Patron $600 ($460 tax deductible)
• Includes 2 tickets to the Ball & Auction
• Gallery dining in the museum
Junior Patron $400 (35 and under $260 tax deductible)
• Includes 2 tickets to the Ball & Auction
• Dining in the museum