Top hats and pearls were everywhere in evidence on the second floor of TPC Sawgrass Clubhouse Jan. 26, part of a Roaring Twenties theme to ring in the 2020 decade—while celebrating the arts at the Cummer Museum of Art & Gardens’ fifth annual gala.
“Every year we’ll change the theme and make a connection to what’s on exhibit at that time,” said Gala Chair Ellen Berson. “Because of the year 2020, it was easy enough and we did the Roaring Twenties.”
Berson’s mother, Harriet, also attended, and said she couldn’t be prouder of the execution.
“To hear your daughter planned this and see all the work, it’s amazing. And they plan for the next gala as soon as this one ends.”
A classic, dark green Packard Super Eight was parked outside to welcome guests inside, where they went upstairs to find Cummer Beaches board of directors president Peter Karpen greeting them one by one.
“Our mission is to bring awareness of the Cummer Museum out to the beaches community,” Karpen said, while multitasking and making sure no guest went ungreeted.
“We sponsor a fall lecture series in collaboration with the Beaches Museum in Jax Beach,” he said. “We have a book group that highlights books based on museum exhibits and we also provide funding for field trips for elementary school students to the Cummer Museum.”
This calendar year, about 1,700 students, teachers and chaperones will be able to visit the Cummer, according to Karpen.
While he continued greeting guests, the Cummer Museum pop-up shop lay ahead with bow ties, greeting cards, jewelry and more.
Guests passed through the shop, just like in a real speakeasy, to where the cocktails were hidden—in the back. Men in black-tie suits and women in beaded flapper dresses lined up at the open bar while munching on hors d'oeuvres like mini-crab cakes and Beef Wellington puffs.
Before guests filled up on snacks and spirits, doors opened to the main dining area, decorated with black and white balloons and filled with the sounds of the Jacksonville University Jazz Orchestra.
A field garden salad with saffron-poached pear, goat cheese, pistachios and champagne-pear dressing had already been served at the tables, where there was an endless flow of red and white wine (thanks to the attentive servers) that Gatsby would have envied.
Gala speakers Karpen and Board of Trustees Chair Pam Paul gave thanks for the attendance (up by over 40 guests since last year) and recognized the Cummer’s success in bringing the arts to the Jacksonville and Beaches communities.
But the most moving speech came from the Cummer’s newest director and CEO, Adam Levine.
“Thanks to all of you for taking a Sunday night to be here to support this institution and learn about the Cummer Museum and Gardens and why it matters,” Levine began, taking a step back to remind attendees why the Cummer, and all museums, matter in the first place.
He spoke of how art museums are the only places where geography and chronology “evaporate.” He spoke of how museums are a place where someone from this new decade can stand in front of an object made by someone from 5,000 years ago, 15,000 miles away.
“Time and space dissolve in an art museum,” he said. “They teach you about other cultures. They broaden your horizons. They teach you empathy, how to use your senses, how to look, how to slow down. Art museums create great citizens and great citizens create great cities. I have come to know this community fairly intimately, and one thing that makes Jacksonville special and is contributing to the momentum we see everywhere, whether St. Johns County or Downtown, is that people want Jacksonville to be great.”
After a standing ovation from inspired guests, the JU Jazz Orchestra turned the volume back up. And just like that, flapper girls in beaded dresses and pearls and their partners hopped to the dance floor. Like a museum exhibit springing to life.
