Tuesday, April 28, 1998 | 3:19 a.m.
Society By Design owners Colleen Munro, Theresa Cole and Burt Lancon hosted an avant-garde fund-raiser for the Neon Museum that was as unique as any gathering ever hosted by "Breakfast at Tiffany's" Holly Golightly.
The event took place at Munro's Spanish Trail home. Showcased were the works of a number of artists, and furniture and decor from Society By Design. All of the works of art, the decor and the home itself were for sale. Most of the artists were on hand to answer questions. Among the art on display were works by Kelly Kiviranna, Michael Davies, Shari Borkin, "Caos," Michael Patrick Thistle, Carol Kiviranna, T.Theodore Marienthal, Eric Leins and Christine Newcumb.
The attendees, as ecletic a mix as the house and its contents, wandered throughout, trying to take in all the many design elements. Spike-haired biker types mixed and mingled with more staid, business-suited types -- it was a congenial, interesting mix.
Each room of the house (except the kitchen) was decorated to the nth degree. The loft bedroom and den featured painted silver walls with a harlequin design, a bed with custom designed linens, and unusual accessories. A personal favorite was the sink in the downstairs powder room. At first glance it looked like a gorgeous serving bowl set atop the base. A closer look took in the drain and faucet. It's a wonderful design.
Neon and Las Vegas have long been synonymous. The bright lights and signature signs of our hotels are known around the world, but many of these icons of the past were disappearing until the creation of the Neon Museum. It is the museum's goal to refurbish and display the familiar signatures as public art, thus keeping these colorful pieces of history alive for future generations to see.
When the Neon Museum opened, the Hacienda Hotel's Horse and Rider was unveiled. Through the generosity of the Allied Arts Council, which owns the piece, and the support and sponsorship of art enthusiast Brad Friedmutter, this original work of art has been restored and is on display at Las Vegas Boulevard and Fremont Street. Other signs have also been refurbished and installed. Many more are still waiting in the bone-yard to be renovated. The fund-raiser was the first step toward attaining the funds needed to restore them to their former glory.
Event committee members and volunteers stood by to answer questions about the museum -- Neon Museum President Barbara Molasky, Munro, Cole, Kelly Lee, Nancy Deaner, Gloria Fine, Melissa McMeel, Susan Snodgrass, Dawna Cortright, Viola Goodwin, Pamela Tyre, Donna Engellenner and Lisa Karp.
Munching hors d'oeuvres provided by Caviarteria in the Forum Shops at Caesars while they wandered through the showcase house were Roger Thomas, Jane Radoff, Esther and G. Scott Wallace, Jeri LeWinter, and some of the members of the Neon Museum Board of Directors -- Frank Wright, DeDee Nave, Mark Paris, Cathie Kelly, Pasha Rafat and more. It was quite a bash.
For information about the Neon Museum, or how to participate in the Adopt-A-Sign program, call 229-4872.
Society By Design does commercial and residential interior design, has its own staff of furniture fabricators and designers, and a showroom filled with "Objects of Desire" -- executive gifts, jewelry, accessories and much more. The shop is located at 4270 S. Decatur; hours are Monday-Friday, 11 a.m.-7 p.m.; Saturday 10 a.m.-4 p.m.; Sunday, by appointment -- call 220-4280.
Halston and Hospice
Designs from the Fall 1998 Halston Signature Collection will be featured at a special luncheon and fashion program at the Sheraton Desert Inn, May 20. Sponsored by Saks Fifth Avenue in the Fashion Show mall, the event will benefit the Nathan Adelson Hospice. Committee member and longtime champion of the hospice, Phyllis McGuire, is the hostess for the day. Co-chairwomen are Susan Molasky and Beth Weinberger; other committee members are Lynn Weidner, Sharon Bader, Bonnie Schreck, Donna Baldwin, Donna Epstein, Susan Sullivan, Teresa Fertitta, Debra Shaiken, Jodi Ghanem, Myra Greenspun, Margo Rogich, Nancy Houssels, Alicia Jacobs, Joyce Lumin and Wendy Plaster.
An outstanding array of gifts have been donated for "Opportunity Ticket" winners. Among those donating fabulous gifts are Bulgari, Tiffany, Emporio Armani, Neiman Marcus, Escada, Lalique, St. John, Cartier, Sharp's Jewels of New York, Gucci, Lalique and many fine restaurants.
Tickets ($125) are available by calling the Nathan Adelson Hospice -- 733-0320.
Science Festival
Hands-on activities, live penguins and events that explore the earth's polar regions are among the many highlights of the Family Science Festival at Lied Discovery Children's Museum, May 1.
Now in its fourth year at the museum, the Family Science Festival is part of the museum's National Science and Technology Week activities. This is an opportunity for families, and others, to learn about how science and engineering impact our everyday lives. Penguins from the Flamingo Hilton will be featured in a separate program. For more information about this wonderful family event, call 382-3445.
EAT'M
Imagine being 16 years old and having your artwork imprinted on posters and T-shirts at a major music conference and festival in Las Vegas.
That honor will be bestowed on Elizabeth Blau, a junior at the Las Vegas Academy of International Studies, Performing and Visual Arts, when the Emerging Artists and Talent in Music (EAT'M) festival takes place at a variety of Strip venues, May 14-16.
Blau's art, a mixed media piece created with color pencil and acrylic paints, was part of her studio art advanced placement class at the academy. Her instructor is Marti Bein. Blau's work will appear on other materials related to the music event, as well as on the posters and T-shirts.
EAT'M is produced by Tenner and Associates, presented by Las Vegas Events and hosted by the Desert Inn. The public is invited to attend. Call 792-9430 for ticket information.
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