Columbia Museum of Art throws a party for a cause

A major fundraiser is mixing it up by featuring something old, something new and – most importantly – giving attendees an opportunity to make the event “uniquely you.”

The Columbia Museum of Art is hosting its annual gala dubbed “In the Mix: From Vintage to Vogue” on Saturday, March 5 at the museum, 1515 Main St.

Gala chairwoman Julie Brenan said themes for galas in past years reflect major exhibitions and are usually straightforward – previous years featured the Chicago World’s Fair and Moulin Rouge. This year’s exhibit, “Remix: Themes and Variations in African-American Art,” left more to the imagination. “Remix” features works from mostly 20th-century African-American artists who create art in their unique perspectives by refashioning themes, ideas and objects.

“The exhibition is such a groundbreaking, great exhibit, and it didn’t have a clear-cut (theme for the gala),” she said.

The gala committee, which has been planning since August, decided to make the theme “Vintage to Vogue,” taking something old and looking at it in a new way, reflecting the exhibit.

“With ‘Remix,’ they’ve taken new takes on older pieces or classic pieces of art, new in the way they’ve done the art,” she said. “… All of that is such a statement on its own.”

Brenan said attendees frequently dress in accordance with their interpretation of the theme while keeping it a black-tie affair.

“We have such a variety of ages of people who go to this,” she said. “… It’s kind of where we can have an edge to things.”

Brenan said the committee will transform the museum using “breathtaking” decor and remixing common pieces, such as flowers, in traditional and nontraditional ways.

The event wouldn’t be a gala without music and dance. This year’s event will feature entertainment by Reggie Sullivan and His Music Machine, D.J. Irv, Life in Notes and Steps, Mark Rapp and Stephanie Wilkins. Brenan said the musical artists also decided to embrace the theme.

“They were really excited about the whole vision of it,” she said. “I think that’s even going to help get the whole feel and scene across. It’s going to be a sensory experience.”

The theme is pervasive throughout the event, not only influencing the decor and music but also food and drinks.

Chef Crawford Pressley, with Loosh Culinaire Fine Catering, was tasked with finding ways to remix common foods into something new and innovative. The same goes for the cocktails – the gala will feature three traditional cocktails and three others using similar ingredients in a new way.

“When we proposed the whole idea to him, he got really excited about it and how he could do it,” Brenan said.

She said the gala is the museum’s biggest annual fundraiser, allowing CMA to continue its support of arts education and outreach.

“It doesn’t just touch the part of the community where it’s people who want to go look at art on a Sunday,” she said. “… It’s just such a vital, important part of the community.”

Whether attendees want to help in the name of philanthropy or want a vibrant social event, Brenan said the gala is a good way to combine both in one night.

“There’s not another party like it in Columbia,” she said. “ It’s just a great party. It really is, and (you) know you’re supporting the arts in education and the community.”

This story was originally published March 1, 2016 at 4:31 PM with the headline "Columbia Museum of Art throws a party for a cause."