Rob Giardinelli
Weren’t There? No Problem. The Sold-Out, Three-Act Evening Raised Over $1.4 Million
By Rob Giardinelli Photography by Matt Borkowski/BFA.com and Nina Fernandez/BFA.com
THE SCENE: A beautiful Fall night on the stunning, legendary grounds of Austin’s Laguna Gloria was the setting for one of the most anticipated, and fun annual philanthropic events of the capital city’s Fall season. A sold-out crowd featuring over 300 of the area’s top art patrons, business leaders, Fortune 500 executives, sociables, and philanthropists turned out for The Contemporary Austin’s Art Dinner 2024. The night featured an enchanting, three-act mix of art, fashion, fun, and philanthropy which created a special experience that those fortunate enough to be a part of will not soon forget.
and Lindsey Casey
THE VIBE: The “More is More” attire as the theme meant the crowd of revelers donned an exciting array of ensembles including neutrals, prints, and bold colors that create a fun, festive, and welcoming energy for all on hand. The night began on the terrace outside the villa on the Laguna Gloria grounds for cocktail hour. During the first act of the night, the cocktail hour, guests mingled under the majestic canopy of Live Oak trees while sipping on their favorite cocktails al fresco, enjoying the pleasant Autumn night. Others headed inside the villa to view silent auction items and preview live auction items. Partygoers then made their way to down towards a wooded, tented area along Lady Bird Lake for the evening’s main program.
David Middleton
Guests took to their seats for the second act of the evening inside the open-aired tent. The space featured, intimate, continental-style tables adorned with leopard-print table runners, and low profile florals and lamps against the backdrop elegant drapes atop the tent that perfectly blended inside elements that allowed fun intimate conversations with their table mates.
As revelers dined on their fabulous, multi-course meals by MML, they were treated to words from organization and event leaders. Next, world-renowned auctioneer Lydia Fenet helmed a spirited, highly successful live auction and paddles up that included works from acclaimed artists including Vivian Caccuri, Sara Flores, Wyatt Kahn, Caroline Kent, Eamon Ore-Giron, and Suki Seokyeong Kang. One thing that sets The Contemporary Austin’s annual Art Dinner apart from the rest is the gracious treatment of the artists who donate their work to the auction, with up to 50% of the auction proceeds going back to the artist in exchange for their artistic donation.
Elizabeth Swaminathan
Upon the conclusion of the dinner, guests headed back up to the terrace outside of the Laguna Gloria villa for the evening, the third and final act, the event’s first-ever after-party, which was already in full swing thanks to additional patrons who were already partying the night away to enjoy this special evening. During the after-party, revelers were spotted sipping on specialty cocktails courtesy of Garage, engaging in tarot card readings, and dancing the night away to a live performance by J’cuuzi and a DJ set by SuperNova of Pangea Sound, capping off an epic evening of fun, art, and philanthropy.
THE NON-PROFIT: Art Dinner 2024, co-chaired by Bettina Barrow and Fredericka Middleton, raised over $1.4 million for The Contemporary Austin. Proceeds raised from the event will go towards the museum’s innovative program and educational initiatives to fund The Contemporary’s vision that envisions a bold future for Contemporary Art in Austin.
