Columnist Elizabeth Foyt: Museum opens art exhibit with grand gala

Elizabeth Foyt

Wednesday, April 28, 2004 | 8:17 a.m.

CelebrASIAN, a gala evening to preview the Asian ArtNOW! 2004 Exhibition at the Las Vegas Art Museum, was a symphony of fine art and cultural presentations coupled with the opportunity to meet participating artists.

Presented by the Las Vegas Art Museum board of trustees, the party, held at the museum, unveiled the celebrated collection, organized by the Asian Cultural Exchange Association, with the patronage of the Consulate General of Japan and others.

The evening was enjoyed by guests Jack and M.J. Harvey, Roy and Dr. Caryl Suzuki with Dr. Eleanore Chow, Dan Shewman and Elizabeth Herridge of the Guggenheim Hermitage Museum, Wayne Tanaka, Priscilla Scalley, Ed and Penny Prudhomme, Dr. Fred Kirchner, Louis and Sandie Nadelson, Dr. David and Laura Mulkey, state Sen. Sandra Tiffany and County Commissioner Yvonne Atkinson Gates.

Taking a leisurely tour of the massive traveling exhibition was architect Mark Martino and his wife, Virginia, event benefactors Aurora and Buck Wong with Buck's son Tim, Edythe and Gil Yarchever, Andy Katz, Zoe Brown, Michael Stillman and Marilyn Loop with her mother, Regent Thalia Dondero.

On display are magnificent oils, sculptures, textile arts and other pieces in mediums used by contemporary artists bridging the Asian cultures. Dr. Seiya Yamaguchi, a physician-artist who serves as president of the International Environmental and Occupational Health Institute, was just one of the noted artists in attendance.

Many who observed the demonstrations of calligraphy carried home pieces of the art form while others savored the joyful sounds of the Taiko drummers and colorful performance by the lion dancers.

Mingling with supporters was Karen Barrett, newly appointed executive director of the Las Vegas Art Museum, who explained the collection can be enjoyed by both groups and individuals in the coming weeks.

The exhibit continues through June 20. The Las Vegas Art Museum is housed at the Sahara Library, 9600 W. Sahara Ave.

Slice of history

The Honorable Celia Sandys, granddaughter of Sir Winston Churchill, gave a lively and insightful discourse, "Sir Winston Churchill's Style of Leadership -- As Relevant Today As During World War II," on April 21.

A special guest of the Northern Trust Forum series and invited to Las Vegas by Patrick Everett, president of the Northern Trust bank in Summerlin, Sandys led an attentive audience through the pages of history, punctuating her remarks with direct quotes and charming anecdotes.

Invited guests Dr. Neville and Esther Pokroy, Sandee Tiberti, Michael Buckley with his parents, Dr. Robert and Barbara Buckley, and Ty and Mercedes Hilbrecht were introduced to the author-speaker at a champagne reception prior to her lecture.

Present as well were David and Deborah Barton, Jerry and June Engel, Sally and Richard Jost, John and Susan Murtagh and Dennis and Janet Bowmer.

Citing her grandfather's self-directed habit of learning throughout his life, Sandys also reminded listeners of his rocky, often challenged, rise to prominence and the dark days for England as Churchill, at age 65, became prime minister on May 10, 1940.

"We Shall Not Fail -- the Inspiring Leadership of Winston Churchill," her book by Portfolio Press, was personally signed for each attending guest. Mike and Linda Leavitt, Dr. William and Val Stephan, Tom Duengel, Rod Tucker, Dr. Joseph and Bat-Sheva Shalev and Jim and Celia Larkin were among those speaking informally with the author as she signed their copies.

Special guests Jack and Elizabeth Carter requested a copy to send home to his parents, former President Jimmy and Rosalyn Carter.

The event, one of a series presented by the Northern Trust Forum, was held in the bank's special events wing. Chef Georg Paulussen of Wild Truffles catered the exclusive evening.

The generous dozen

On April 15 Saks Fifth Avenue's Fashion Show mall store hosted an evening to benefit the Nevada Cancer Institute.

Titled "The Vegas Dozen 2004," the fashionable gathering put a dozen of our most prominent business leaders in the spotlight. Doing their duty for this most worthy cause were Daniel Van Epp (Howard Hughes Corp.), William Weidner (Las Vegas Sands), Brian Greenspun (Las Vegas Sun), J. Terrance Lanni and James J. Murren (both of MGM MIRAGE), William Boyd (Boyd Gaming), Mark Fine (Mark Fine & Associates), Las Vegas Mayor Oscar Goodman, Tom Kaplan (Wolfgang Puck Fine Dining), Blake Sartini (Golden Gaming Inc.), Irwin Molasky (Molasky Group of Companies) and Clint Holmes (Harrahs Las Vegas).

Each were dressed in selected garments from fashion's best designers, among them Brioni, Ferragamo, Cole Haan, Armani, Bruno Magli and Alfred Dunhill.

Mari Landers, general manager of Saks, was assisted in welcoming guests by Heather Murren, founder-president of the Nevada Cancer Institute. Nearby, Phyllis McGuire, mistress of ceremonies, gave a special glamour to the evening as she and her sisters Dorothy and Christine greeted Phyllis Diller, Robin Leach and our city's first lady, Carolyn Goodman.

In the crowd of notables were Lovee and Bob Arum, Wendy and Richard Plaster, Skip Avansino with daughter Marisa, Felix and Mary-Louise Rappaport, Rob and Sheryl Goldstein, Dale and Kenny Wynn, Marla and Tom Letizia and new Sunrise Hospital Chief Executive Brian Robinson and wife Carol.

Pleasantries were exchanged as guests mixed and mingled around the icy martini bars and enjoyed the papaya blinis, champagne and fine wines. Wild Truffles catered the party with spectacular iced carvings, created as a tribute to each of the honorees by Chef-owner George Paulussen.

Others in the elegant crowd included Marie-Claire and Rino Armeni, Patricia and Richard Wright, Richie Clyne with Susan Sullivan, Rene and John O'Reilly, Vicki and Frank Fertitta, Steve and Deni Conrad, Dr. Brian and Suzanne Cram and Saks corporate executive Ron Frasch. The evening raised in excess of $40,000 for the Nevada Cancer Institute.

Construction on the institute, to be located in Summerlin near the intersection of Twain Avenue and Town Center Drive, began in January. Services for patients at the $52 million, 140,000-square-foot facility, will begin in June 2005.

Begun with the mission to fight cancer by linking world-class scientists and clinical investigators in Nevada with national medical and academic communities, the institute will also provide patient access to the most advanced cancer technologies.

Boating

One of spring's prettiest events, the 2004 Leukemia Cup Regatta, will be held Saturday and Sunday at the Special Events Beach at Lake Mead.

On Saturday evening the boating crowd and supporters will enjoy a special party at the Boulder Creek Golf Club Pavillion, with Tommy Rocker entertaining and auction items galore.

Held at 45 yacht clubs across the nation, this annual event will benefit research and local support services for families afflicted by leukemia. Call Carol White at 361-1006 or Andrea Rosachi at 361-3322.

Worthy cause

A fun day of benefit shopping, the "Shopping Works Wonders" event at Bloomingdale's Home and Furniture Store at the Fashion Show mall from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday will benefit Golden Rainbow and assist the men, women, children and families living with HIV/AIDS in Southern Nevada.

The fund-raiser will donate 10 percent of all purchase totals to Golden Rainbow. With food, fun and the chance to win great seats for the organization's annual "Ribbon of Life" production show, the shopping occasion is not to be missed. Please call and RSVP at 384-2899 to ensure your purchases will assist the charity that day.