Our fourteenth annual ConTempo fundraising gala benefiting The Contemporary Museum, hosted for the eighth year by Neiman Marcus and presented by the Friends of The Contemporary Museum was a great success. Proceeds from this event make possible exhibition and public programs focusing on contemporary art and artists which will reach over 100,000 individuals this year.
First, thanks to Al Tomonari and his associates at Neiman Marcus for offering this elegant, contemporary venue, and for all they have contributed to make this event a glittering success. Congratulations and thanks to the dynamic and innovative team of Jennifer Tanabe and Adam Wong, co-chairs of this year’s event. Through their creativity, the focused efforts of dedicated committee members, and the amazing professionals of Neiman Marcus and TCM, ConTempo is even more fabulous and remains the most anticipated, stylish, and successful annual fundraiser in Honolulu.
If the décor, dinner, and dancing are the sparkle of ConTempo, ConTempoRARITIES is the substance. Since its inception in 1995, ConTempoRARITIES has showcased high quality works of art ranging in value, media and scale by both mainland and Hawai‘i artists. This year was no exception. The Museum-quality contemporary works of art on view were selected by our art committee, headed by Sharon Twigg-Smith and assisted by professional art consultant Allison Wong of The Fine Art Associates. The exhibited art was presented as a sale rather than a silent auction. The museum, exhibiting artists, and purchasers all benefited from the sale of these works, any one of which we would be proud to have installed in our galleries. Fine “Wines and Beyond,” arranged by Nate Smith and his committee, were again offered in a silent auction format and were selected to appeal to discriminating tastes.
Proceeds from this event benefit The Contemporary Museum and furthers the TCM mission of developing an appreciation and understanding of contemporary art through exhibition and education programs as well as through the collection and preservation of art since 1940. As a table sponsor, auction bidder, item donor, and guest, you put the life in this party. Your generosity and enthusiasm ultimately made this gala a success. We thank you for supporting The Contemporary Museum, the only museum in the state of Hawai‘i devoted exclusively to the art and artists of today.
Georgianna Lagoria
Director
The Contemporary Museum, Honolulu
