DAI Masquerade Gala Just Around the Corner

Here are two announcements regarding the DAI Masquerade Gala which I received within the past week. 

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ANNOUNCEMENT 1

This year's Masquerade Gala is just under a month away. Not only does this event promise an art-inspired and art-filled night-out but the funds raised provide critical support for the Duluth Art Institute and our programming.

Join us on Saturday, November 3rd from 5-11pm in the Moorish Room at Greysolon. Inspiration for this gala comes from the Bauhaus as is evident in the design of the event invitation and in the staging and activities throughout the evening.

At the Gala, guests will enjoy a happy hour with signature cocktails and a drawing for 3 great prizes, a 3-course sit down meal (with meat, vegetarian and vegan options), a gift from an artist table-host that you will get to know over the course of the evening, as well as silent auction items inspired by the neighborhoods and communities the Duluth Art Institute serves. New this year, will be a couple rounds of "Bauhaus Bingo" as well as a Fund-a-Need which will make the DAI's educational programming more accessible to all through a scholarship program. End the evening by dancing the night away.

Early Bird Tickets can be purchased for $85 until October 26. Buy your tickets here.

What's the Bauhaus? A German art, design and architecture school founded by Walter Gropius and which was active in Germany from 1919 until 1933. The school emphasized workshop or hands-on training and creative thinking. After its forced closure by the Nazis, some of the members moved to the United States and taught; for example: Gropius ended up at Harvard and Mies van der Rohe in Chicago. Of particular note is the involvement of Anni and Josef Albers at Black Mountain College in North Carolina. As the centennial of the Bauhaus approaches, more articles are highlighting the central role women artists played in the movement like architect Ise Gropius or fiber artist Anni Albers. (Reference: Rainer K. Wick, "Bauhaus" Grove Art Online)

ANNOUNCEMENT 2

The Duluth Art Institute’s Annual Masquerade Gala will be held on November 3, 2018 from 5 to 11pm at the Moorish Room in Greysolon. The Gala includes a plated, three-course dinner by Black Woods Catering, drawings for prizes, silent auction packages, Bauhaus bingo, a Fund-a-Need, original art for auction, and more. Seated at each table will be an artist, who has exhibited at the Duluth Art Institute in the last few years, and who will provide each of the guests at the table with a work of art to take home. Attendees are encouraged to wear a mask and to find inspiration from this year’s theme: the Bauhaus.

The Masquerade Gala is the Duluth Art Institute’s main fundraiser. Funding from the Gala supports the organization in bringing art to and inspiring art in everyone. We serve 68,000 artists and art lovers in the region and throughout the state with visual art exhibitions, art classes for all ages, and artist services such as professional development and networking.

The Duluth Art Institute fosters all types of artistic expression, empowers diverse voices, and lives the value that art is for all. The Institute is driven by its mission to enrich daily life with innovative visual arts programming that upholds excellence and promotes inclusive community participation.

Guests of the Gala include Duluth’s local talent Edward Moody as Emcee and Jazz Guitarist Briand Morrison. Artists hosting tables include: Jonathon Thunder, Tia Salmela Keobounpheng, Wilson Johnson, Susanna Gant, Julie Zenner, Aaron Squadroni, Brian Barber, Naomi Christenson, Debbie Cooter, Shawna Gilmore, Matt Kania, Elizabeth Kuth, Paul LaJeunesse, Karen Nease, Nik Nerburn, Kristen Pless. Please know, supporting artists and their careers means The Duluth Art Institute splits the sale of art with the artist. The artists may decide to donate proceeds.

Join art makers and art lovers in celebrating Duluth Art. Everyone takes home art, making the evening inspiring and memorable. Special thanks to our Artists Sponsor Krenzen and Collector Sponsor Republic Bank, as well as our in-kind sponsors Barefoot Florista, Duluth Event Lighting and ProPrint.

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