Belle of the Balls
Art Ball brings the fabulous funk for 50th anniversary DMA gala
- Maxwell L. Anderson, Jacqueline AndersonPhoto by William Neal
- Jennifer Eagle, John Eagle, Emily SummersPhoto by William Neal
- Kimberly Chandler, Browne AndrewsPhoto by William Neal
- Robin McMoniglePhoto by William Neal
- Merry Vose, Rajan PatelPhoto by William Neal
- Cindy Rachofsky, Howard RachofskyPhoto by William Neal
- Nancy Rogers, Michael FloresPhoto by William Neal
- Hunter Barnes, Andrea CastagnoPhoto by William Neal
- Kiersten Dolbec, Catherine WoodallPhoto by William Neal
- Michael McCray, Wylie McAnallen, Faisal HalumPhoto by William Neal
- Thomas Hartland-Mackie, Nasiba Hartland-MackiePhoto by William Neal
- Lauren Morgan, Caroline Benoist, Meredith McElroyPhoto by William Neal
- Eric Maas, Sheryl MaasPhoto by William Neal
- Elizabeth Grant, Darden GrantPhoto by William Neal
- Leigh Williams, Lisa PerryPhoto by William Neal
- Micki Rawlings, Michael Sills, Shelle Sills, Brian BolkePhoto by William Neal
- Young professionals proving they can dress to impress at Art Ball 50.Photo by William Neal
- Megan Ruth Bowdon, Joey WilkinsonPhoto by William Neal
- Lawrence Bock, Katy BockPhoto by William Neal
- Coley Clark, Jennifer ClarkPhoto by William Neal
- Elizabeth Karpitas, Kenny Goss, Joyce GossPhoto by William Neal
- Randall Goss, Kara GossPhoto by William Neal
- Capera Ryan, Elizabeth Carpitas, Cynthia MillerPhoto by William Neal
- Michael Craig-Martin, Gavin DelahuntyPhoto by William Neal
- Mark di Suvero's iconic red sculpture anchored the tented dining room.Photo by William Neal
- Kitty CarmichaelPhoto by William Neal
- Elder Statesman cashmere lingerie set at the Forty Five Ten pop-up shop.Photo by William Neal
- Ashish “Hi Haters” T-shirt at the Forty Five Ten pop-up shop.Photo by William Neal
- Lisa Perry “Selfie” dress at the Forty Five Ten pop-up shop.Photo by William Neal
On Saturday night, Dallasites dressed in their finest and rolled into the Arts District for Art Ball 50, the 50th anniversary of the premier fundraising gala for the Dallas Museum of Art. Themed “Self Portrait,” event chair Nancy Carlson, with help from the incomparable Todd Events, executed an edgy affair that reflected on five decades of philanthropic fabulousness. Also helping the cause for this special evening was an esteemed host committee comprising past Art Ball chairs.
First stop for well-heeled guests — once a flute of champagne was in hand — was the Forty Five Ten pop-up shop featuring limited edition items from 15 internationally acclaimed designers. After checking out Lisa Perry’s “Selfie” dress, Ashish’s “Hi Haters” T-shirt and the Elder Statesman cashmere lingerie set, they were off to the tented reception where cocktails provided Moet Hennessy USA awaited.
When it was time for the main event, massive curtains parted to reveal an impressive tented dining room, where prestigious patrons — including Cindy and Howard Rachofsky, Lynn McBee, Margaret McDermott, Nancy Rogers, Robin McMonigle, Niven Morgan, Shelby Wagner, Kenny Goss, Joyce Goss, Brian Bolke, Sheryl and Eric Maas, Capera Ryan, Merry Vose, Jennifer and John Eagle, Kimberly Chandler, Browne Andrews, Jennifer and Coley Clark — took their seats. Mark di Suvero’s iconic red sculpture loomed over the stage where Kitty Carmichael crooned.
Guests feasted on a meal that was almost too beautiful to eat, with carefully crafted courses such as Maple Leaf Farms duck confit with spring pea goat cheese ravioli. With dinner plates cleared, Christie’s began the lavish live auction, led by auctioneer Hugh Edmeades. Lust-worthy items included trips to Marfa, New York City and Palm Springs.
When the bidding came to a close, guests went nuts for “Artball Funk,” a remake of Bruno Mars and Mark Ronson’s “Uptown Funk,” featuring DMA director Maxwell L. Anderson, Jacqueline Anderson, Mayor Mike Rawlings, Elaine Agather, Deedie Rose and many other DMA VIPs. Quite the clever way to namedrop all of the top sponsors, if you ask us.
As the video wrapped up, the curtains parted again, this time beckoning people back to the after-chaired by Jackie Bolin and Erin Wasson, where Solange Knowles served as guest DJ.
In just the last 15 years, Art Ball has raised more than $22 million to support the DMA’s mission of engaging and educating the community, with funds going directly to the museum’s operating budget.
Watch “Artball Funk” for yourself: