Wow! What better way to celebrate our 75 years than having such an engaging, successful and fun gala with over 380 guests in our very own home on Friday, October 28, 2022 for The Art Gala.

The murals in the Warner Gallery set the stage. The fashion was on point. The voice of Janet Hines was perfection. Observing Alex Allen and Shar Sosh painting their artworks was an experience in and of itself.

Then, the lively remarks later from the Great Hall stage and a telling of our history entertained and engaged the audience. Lastly, of course, we can’t forget to mention the after-dinner dance party that continued until closing.

But now for the thanks

THE BASICS: WHO, WHAT WHEN, WHERE, WHY

WHO: YOU & SBMA

WHAT: 75th Anniversary Gala: THE ART GALA

WHEN: Friday October 28, 2022

WHERE: South Bend Museum of Art, located in the Century Center

Enter through the Museum Front Doors!

VIP Reception | SBMA Warner Gallery | 5:00pm*

Cocktails | SBMA Warner Gallery | 6:00pm 

Dinner & Program | Century Center, Great Hall | 7:00pm 

AfterParty | Century Center, “Great Dance Floor | 9:00pm 

*For Patron Ticket Holders and Gala Sponsors (# of tickets based on level)

WHY:

A fun evening celebrating our 75 years of community impact and looking forward together as we kick off the next 75. All proceeds help support SBMA’s exhibitions, visual art education for children and adults of all ages and abilities, and care of the museum’s nationally recognized permanent collection.

PARKING: Guests will have free parking in Century Center parking lot and be directed to enter through SBMA’s main entrance. Drop-off will be at the front door. 

The side doors of the Century Center , but we strongly encourage you to “make the trip” to the front doors of the museum and marvel at our visual enticements on the way! 

MEET OUR LIVE ARTISTS

During the cocktail reception, guests had the privilege to observe both of these amazingly talented and generous artists as they complete artworks that will be showstoppers in our LIVE AUCTION.

Alex Ann Allen  

“Painting a mural inside the South Bend Museum of Art was a dream come true. I enjoyed every minute of it and had inspiration at every corner as I watched other local creates live their dream, too. I am honored to have been apart of the Innovation exhibit and I believe the museum is headed in a great direction.”

Alex Ann Allen is a self-taught traveling muralist living in South Bend, IN. The primary focus behind her work is portraiture and large scale murals influenced by futuristic perspective grids. Her passion and dedication lies in creating public art that brings communities together and helps beautify neighborhoods. A few well known public works in South Bend include: The Vortex on the side of Jiffy Lube, The Gerbera Daisies on the side of Kodachrome Coffee, and the twin geometric murals on the sides of Eddy Street Apartments. She is the founder and curator of Mural Mania- a local mural festival that recently brought five artists from Texas, California, and Indianapolis to paint five new murals in the city. She will begin organizing Mural Mania 2.0 in South Bend for the summer of 2023.

Shar Sosh

During our reception, Shar showed guests how she creates her one-of–a-kind mannequins. Her mannequins are beautifying restaurants and homes all over the world and sell for over $20,000. Shar’s generosity knows no bounds. She joins us on the 28th and is donating her well sought after artwork (mannequin and painted wine bottles) as a way to giving back to a museum that presented her first solo exhibition. Thank you Shar!!

This internationally recognized artist has painted for Presidents, Governments, and the everyday person.  She was invited to paint at the U.S. Presidential Millennium Inaugural Ball as well as to paint part of the oldest, most well-known Montmarte subway station in Paris. Her work was chosen to be a part of the William Clinton Presidential One Hundred year time capsule as well. Shar splits her painting time between America and her studio in the artist quarter in Montmartre, Paris. She paints primarily with oils, acrylics, and watercolors.

LIVE MUSIC

Live musical performances during our VIP reception and cocktails in the Warner Gallery.

Janet Norris will be singing from 5-7 pm with a special performance at 5:40 for the VIP Pre-Gala Reception.

PHOTOGRAPHY

Many of us have seen or are familiar with a Step-and-Repeat Photo Set Ups at benefit galas (because we all want to make sure we thank our major sponsors!!)  However, this year, SBMA wanted to get creative and really showcase our major sponsors. And on the 28th, all of our guests can be “Part of the Art” in our 2D Sponsor Gallery Wall Photo Spot. Guests wearing lots of color will really stand out in this “exhibition”. 

DANCING

DJ: The Godfather Gino J.

The Godfather Gino J. started dee-jaying house parties at 7 years old and is locally known to pack any dance floor where he is behind the table! You may recognize him from his show on with Mix 106 or from the last crowded and fun dance party you attended. Don’t miss your chance to feel young again- get out and dance!

THE AUCTIONS

Live Auction & The Gala Shop (See “Auction” tab for details)

ATTIRE: Creative Cocktail/Black Tie

You might ask, why are there TWO Attire options here? Great question! As an art museum, we embrace all kinds of artistic expression.  So, while we always love a black tux or ball gown, we also want to encourage our guests to be as creative as their hearts desire. So, will it be black tie or a velvet suit with a bowtie? Will it be an elegant black dress or bright colors and feathers? This is your one chance to bring the “avant garde” flair of The Met Gala to SBMA for an evening. We look forward to seeing you arrive!

How far does your comfort level and creativity go? Visit our Pinterest boards for some visuals: