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Miami Art Museum Holds its Most Successful Fundaraising Ball To Date

More than 1,000 guests attended the 20th annual Miami Art Museum fundraising Ball and Late Night Party on Saturday, Dec. 6, 2003. The event was a complete success, selling out early and generating a waiting list of potential subscribers wishing to attend the Ball. Considered one of the top fundraising events among art museums nationwide, this year's Ball was themed "For the Love of Art," with a fundraising goal of $650,000. The event met and exceeded that goal, raising approximately $700,000 for MAM's exhibitions and educational programs that serve thousands of residents and visitors each year.

Co-chairs for the MAM Ball were Cesar Alvarez, Toni and Carl Randolph, and Terry and Rob Schechter. The MAM Ball, traditionally held at the beginning of December, capped off a week of glittering art-related events in Miami associated with Art Basel. Tables of ten for the Ball ranged from $5,000 to $25,000.

"We're thrilled that the community is supporting us so enthusiastically," said MAM Director, Suzanne Delehanty, "We're also very grateful to the trustees, civic leaders and donors who helped make this evening a most extraordinary event."

Steven Neckman chaired the committee responsible for two components that contributed to the special aura surrounding this year's Ball -- the Silent Auction and the Artful Chances program sponsored by Tiffany & Co. at the Village of Merrick Park. Assisted by committee members Diane Grob, Adrienne Moore, Bobbi Berkman, Julia Bianchi and Mirelle Chancy-Gonzalez, Mr. Neckman secured a breathtaking array of donations that delighted and inspired attendees to participate in both.

Tiffany & Co. provided 250 of their signature blue boxes filled with surprise gifts ranging in value from $150 to over $7,000. Guests who wished to purchase a box could do so for $300. Top prizes in the boxes included a Tiffany Signature diamond bracelet and a Cunard transatlantic cruise on the Queen Mary 2.

Additionally, all boxes contained gifts from Le Spa Lancome. Among other prizes from Tiffany & Co. were: Atlas watches, Torsade freshwater pearl necklaces, diamond crystal paperweights, and Elsa Peretti 18K Open Heart necklaces, as well as platters, carafes, vases and more.

The Silent Auction featured such desirable items as a 7-day Mediterranean cruise, courtesy of The Yachts of Seabourn, jewelry from Van Cleef and Arpels, a week's stay in an art-filled New York apartment and items donated by Cartier, Debbie Parent, Mindy Lam Couture, Movado, Neiman Marcus, Oggetti, Reed Krakoff for Coach, and Saks Fifth Avenue, Bal Harbour among others.

As a continuation of the Ball, MAM held an after-party in an area immediately adjacent to the ballroom. Officially called the "Late Night Party," the event was held in a space with flowing white curtains that were eventually pulled back to reveal a hip, lounge atmosphere attracting to the scene over 300 of Miami's future community leaders. Co-chairs for the Late Night Party were Ricky Elias, Natalia Miyar, Carla and Marlon Hill and Tracy and David Moret. Tickets for the Late Night Party were $75.

MAM's For the Love of Art Ball was held at the Radisson Hotel, 1601 Biscayne Boulevard in Miami. Guests were treated to decorations by Barton G, who created a black-and-white room with splashes of red. Tabletop decorations included scarlet-red roses, orchids, elegant cala lilies and bunches of white hydrangeas. The Steven Chase band kept the energy high and the dance-floor crowded all night long.

Accredited by the American Association of Art Museums, Miami Art Museum is sponsored in part by the State of Florida, Department of State, Division of Cultural Affairs and the Florida Arts Council, and the National Endowment for the Arts; with the support of the Miami-Dade County Department of Cultural Affairs, the Cultural Affairs Council, the Mayor and the Board of County Commissioners.

Miami Art Museum receives both private and public funding. More than 50 percent of its annual support comes from corporations, individuals, foundations and MAM members. MAM is sponsored in part by the State of Florida, Department of State, Division of Cultural Affairs and the Florida Arts Council, and the National Endowment for the Arts; with the support of the Miami-Dade County Department of Cultural Affairs, the Cultural Affairs Council, the Mayor and the Miami-Dade County Board of County Commissioners.

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