To honor outstanding art patrons, as well as commemorate the closing of the wildly successful and nationally recognized Prospect.1 exhibits, the Contemporary Arts Center held its annual SweetArts fundraiser celebration. On the wintery eve of January 16, the Warehouse District art hub opened its glass doors to 380 guests, who delighted over four floors of masterpieces from local and international artists, courtesy of the Prospect.1 exhibit that closed just two days later. In keeping with the night’s theme of “An International Tryst”, there was entertainment galore, including African stilt dancers, Geisha girls, Japanese Taiko drummers and the Haptic Heat Hip Hop Dance Team. Scores of restaurants cooked up complimentary cuisine, including El Gato Negro, Nirvana, The Melting Pot, Sun Ray Grill and the St. James Cheese Company. Opens bars throughout the building showcased a selection of potent cocktails from around the world, such as Asian beers and sakes, tequila and specialty drinks. Honorary chairs for the event Judith Oudt, Jim Mounger, Sidonie Villere, and Jonathan Ferrara convened earlier in the evening at a private Honorees Reception held at the elegant Lee Circle residence of Judith Oudt. SweetArts honorees are chosen for their wholehearted support of the local cultural arts community, and this year’s lucky high achievers were Pam Breaux, Jacquee Carvin, Rick Gruber, Patrick Lee, Aimee Smallwood, John Snyder and Steve Perry. The evening raised $60,000 for the Center.
The Contemporary Arts Center pays tribute to community art supporters at “SweetArts” 2009.
