Curated Texan
An Artful Evening of Advocacy Fighting Alzheimer’s Was Combination Of Art, Celebration, Music & Gourmet Delights
By Cynthia Smoot Photography by Lisa Stewart and Rob Wythe/Wythe Portrait Studio
Todd and Anna Terry
THE SETTING: The AWARE Affair 2023: An Artful Evening of Advocacy Fighting Alzheimer’s was dynamic combination of art, celebration, music and gourmet delights and featured dinner and entertainment in the Lighthouse ArtSpace’s immersive art galleries, which were alive with images from the Monet and Impressionists Immersive Experience.
Chaired by Lori Bush, Pamela Musgrove and C’Mone Wingo, the event was true to the artful theme. Guests were greeted with a photo opportunity aside a red Bentley courtesy of Avondale Dealerships as they walked the red carpet and into the party scene, which was set with walls lit in purple accents, a cocktail reception, hors d’oeuvres, a silent auction and a duet playing a soft jazzy bass and guitar. In the upstairs galleries, the immersive gala experience began the show as the walls were filled with images transitioning from one artwork to another as dancers from the Booker T. Washington High School for the Performing and Visual Arts performed interpretive dances throughout the space.
THE VIBE: Emcee Scott Murray welcomed the guests and thanked them for gathering in support of AWARE’s mission to fight Alzheimer’s disease and to raise funds for the grants provided to the over 15 grant recipients. Dr. Holly Hull Miori, president of AWARE, stated, “With a 35 plus year tradition of supporting our local nonprofits and each other, the evening was a perfect artful night to come together. We are so thankful for so many who joined us to support our grant recipients and celebrate our honorees.” Miori welcomed the crowd thanking Honorary Chairs Venise and Larry Stuart. Honorary chair Taylor Hearn was out of town in his role as a member of the Texas Rangers baseball team and was represented by his parents Debra and Robby Hearn, and sister Robyn Hearn. Miori said that since AWARE began in 1989 as a fundraising organization for the local chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association and today as a component fund of The Dallas Foundation, AWARE has raised over $14.5 million in the fight against Alzheimer’s. She also said that all funds raised remain in the North Texas community.
After the invocation, Bush recognized the Honorary Chairs Emeriti Sally and Forrest Hoglund, Lee Roy and Biddie Jordan, Kim and David McDavid, Jr., and Ellen Terry with her daughter, Amy Terry Kriegel and son, Todd Terry. Musgrove thanked Monet sponsor DeWitt & Dunn Financial Services and Van Goghsponsors Stacey Jones Angel and Venise and Larry Stuart. Stephanie Bray received the Amy Osler Spirit of Education Leadership Award, which was founded in 2018 and this year shines a light on the love, legacy, and leadership that Amy leaves behind. Over the years, Stephanie has opened her home to host a number of AWARE fundraising events, meetings and programs and she continues to volunteer, being an advocate for not only AWARE but other organizations including her alma matter SMU. Greg Osler, the late Amy Osler’s husband, also attended in support of the memory of Amy and longtime friendship with Bray.
The Founders Spirit Award was presented to Jolie Humphrey as an AWARE member who exemplifies the vision of the organization’s founders by generously giving her/his leadership, dedication, and resources over an extended period to the mission, vision, and values of AWARE. Special recognition was given to Myrna D. Schlegel, the 2022 Founder’s Award recipient, who was unable to attend last year’s gala, but was at these ceremonies. Pam Musgrove stepped up to the microphone and the audience was entranced as she sang her original song, “AWARE,” and dinner was then served. A spirited live auction included items such as the iconic AWARE purple jacket courtesy of Kim and David McDavid, Jr., one week stay in a Lake Tahoe private condo courtesy of Judy and Jerry Diamond, tickets to the US Open for two, a private dinner for 10 sponsored by celebrity chef Kent Rathbun, a 1.50 carat diamond ring from Gem Voyage, and two round trip tickets on Aero.
C’Mone Wingo shared a heartfelt story from her career as a 29-year Dallas Police Detective where she experienced a journey of tragedy of a homeless man who had been stricken with dementia, which touched the hearts of the audience. Because of her experience, Wingo was determined to join and help AWARE which supports the nearly 25,000 living with Alzheimer’s in the greater Dallas area by supporting many of our local organization in research, programs, and projects. She asked AWARE grant recipients to stand, receiving a round of applause.
As guests departed the upstairs galleries to enjoy the afterparty downstairs in the Artful Celebration Lounge, sponsored by Jolie and Bart Humphrey, the buzz was all about gala Co-chair Pam Musgrove taking the stage as the lead singer with The INSTAgators band. Everyone danced the night away to her singing favorite tunes. Sweet take-home treats were provided by Higginbotham.
THE NON PROFIT: AWARE is dedicated to fighting Alzheimer’s disease by providing funding and support to programs, projects, and research provided by nonprofit organizations that actively help individuals affected by Alzheimer’s in Dallas and the greater North Texas area. The 2022-2023 grant recipients are: Baylor Scott & White Dallas Foundation, Bishop Arts Theatre Center, C.C. Young, Center For BrainHealth at UT Dallas, Christian Care Communities And Services, Dallas Arboretum And Botanical Society, For Love And Art, Foundation For The Callier Center And Communication Disorders, Jewish Family Service, Juliette Fowler Communities, NorthPark Presbyterian Church, Plano Symphony Orchestra, Songs & Smiles, Stomping Ground Theater and Training Center, Texas Winds Musical Outreach, The Senior Source, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Wilshire Baptist Church, and the Myrna D. Schlegel AWARE Scholarship Fund.
