Last chance for Warhol at 'Dinner in White' Sept. 13 at Columbia Museum of Art

An artsy affair at the Columbia Museum of Art on Sunday, Sept. 13 will give guests an opportunity to add a splash of color to tabletop canvases while they dine on equally creative meals.

Joelle Ryan-Cook, the museum’s deputy director and director of external affairs, said Dinner in White is an event inspired by the current Andy Warhol exhibit. Participants can come to the event wearing all white, sip cocktails in the ’60s-inspired lounge and then eat a multicourse meal in the Warhol exhibition.

Dinner in White will be the closing of the Warhol exhibit, she said, and it gives guests a more intimate way to experience his works.

“(Participants) will get to be the last people in the gallery before Warhol’s (works) go away,” she said. “… We really like the idea of exploring visual arts and the art of food and when they come together.”

Ryan-Cook said the event is a partnership with Chef Ryan Whittaker of 116 Espresso and Wine Bar.

Proceeds from the event will benefit the museum’s educational mission and educational programs.

Whittaker said he is featuring items inspired by Warhol’s artwork, such as Marx Brothers Duck Soup, Mao Dim Sum and Pop Art Pop Tarts.

“In designing the menu, I tried to look at Warhol’s work and quirky attitude and have a little fun,” Whittaker said. “… This will be a fun night with great food, amazing art and the most happening crowd in Columbia.”

The event is a twist on the Diner en Blanc, in which participants in various cities around the world find out the specific location of the event at the last minute. Wearing all white, diners create the tablescapes. In those events, partygoers bring everything, including plates, silverware and the centerpiece.

Ryan-Cook said the museum will provide the place settings but is asking participants to bring an item to create an Andy Warhol-inspired table centerpiece. The centerpiece that pops the most will win a prize basket.

“We’re kind of twisting it in the sense,” she said. “… But there’s still an opportunity to get very creative.”

She said guests can purchase groups of four or eight tickets, which could give them an advantage in winning the prize by allowing them to coordinate their tablescape.

Ryan-Cook said the museum enjoys working with Whittaker, and their audiences appreciate the artistry in his food and his focus on philanthropy. She said he has solicited several in-kind donations for the event.

“He cares about the community,” she said. “He cares about the work we do as a nonprofit. He’s creative, dependable and fun to work with.”

This story was originally published September 8, 2015 at 6:29 PM.