I Wanna Be Bayou!
Once again, Art in Bloom packed the premises for flower power. The popular several-days springtime celebration returned to the New Orleans Museum of Art, an event co-host along with the Garden Study Club of New Orleans, for “showstopping floral displays,” a silent auction, a lecture series, and a luncheon and fashion show. The presenter was First Horizon.
“Blooms on the Bayou” themed the recent event as Art in Bloom looked to the unique landscape of South Louisiana. To that effect, Mary Ball, who holds an MFA from the New York Academy of Art in New York City, was chosen to be the featured silent auction artist. Her ink-and-acrylic work, “Rhythm of the Bayou,” graced the covers of the invitation and printed program. In addition to Mary Ball, more than six dozen donors contributed to the silent auction. The items were on view online and in NOMA’s Coleman Courtyard.
To launch the rooms with blooms and the five-day experience, there was a 6 p.m. patron party, followed by a two-hour preview party in the museum. The headliners were event committee co-chairs Jeanne de Laureal and Elizabeth Wooten, Montine McDaniel Freeman Director of NOMA Susan M. Taylor, Garden Study Club of New Orleans President Courtney Le Clercq, NOMA Volunteer Committee Chair Tully Forrester Jordan, and the 41 committee members. After Presenting Sponsor First Horizon, Bouquet was the top sponsor and listed the names of Peggy and Timber Floyd and the Eugenie and Joseph Jones Family Foundation. Skipping down to the third category, Orchid, the individual donors (apart from the firms or businesses) were Elizabeth A. Boh, Marion Bright, Lynne Burkart, Caroline and Murray Calhoun, Sally and Walter Cockerham, Susan and Jimmy Gundlach, Elly and Merritt Lane, Brett and James Lapeyre, Sally and Jay Lapeyre, Dr. Robert and Beverly Matheney, Miggy and Jay Monroe, Pixie and Jimmy Reiss, Permele and Garner Robinson, Lynn and Charlie Smith, and Sarah and Doug Stokes. Most were sighted, as were renowned artist Henry Casselli Jr. and spouse Jane.
The attractions were myriad, starting with the powerful posies. As exhibitors, the categories were Creative Designs, Exterior Designs, Garden Clubs, Ikebana, Movers & Shakers (with a creation by The Garden Study Club of New Orleans — 90th anniversary, as well as a tribute to the late Genevieve Trimble by the New Orleans Botanical Garden), Professional Florists, Tablescapes, and Young Artists. Pamela Dennis New Orleans did the floral embellishment for the urns in the Freeport-McMoRan Great Hall. Further recognition tapped City Park Conservancy, Uptown Frames, and The Windsor Court for special thanks.
As the crowd perused the noteworthy installations, they sipped libations from Sazerac New Orleans and the Goldring Family Foundation and dined on cuisine offerings from 12 vendors.
Hours, but a new day, later, the floral flock returned to the museum’s Lapis Center for the Arts for the lecture series and joint presentation: Farm-to-Table: Florals & Flavors. Featured were Greg Campbell and Erick New, floriculture experts and co-owners of the Garden District floral boutique in Memphis, Tennessee, and Mississippi Delta-born Elizabeth Haskell, who, through her Debutante Farmer brand, sells homegrown gourmet products. She is a “TODAY Show” food contributor.
Edified by their lively lecturing, the listeners stilettoed over to the Pavilion of the Two Sisters (courtesy of City Park Conservancy) for a luncheon by Ralph Brennan Catering & Events, and Greta Constantine fashions presented by SOSUSU.
Said event co-chair Jeanne de Laureal about the 2024 Art in Bloom, “I thought it was fabulous. All of the different installations were over the top. Plus, it was a lot of fun.” She concluded with a comment about her co-chair. “It was great working with Elizabeth (Wooten). We complement each other.” And for what they just accomplished, compliments abounded.
Wine and Dine
The Four Seasons Hotel New Orleans was abuzz with pleasures of the table when the New Orleans Wine and Food Experience held its 2024 Ella Brennan Lifetime Achievement in Hospitality Award to chef and restaurateur Donald Link. Aimee Brown, NOWFE executive director, praised him in advance, saying “Chef Link will be honored for his long-standing stewardship of our culinary culture and heritage.” His cooking career began at age 15, and was inspired by the Cajun and Southern cooking of his grandparents. He now has multiple restaurants, James Beard Foundation laurels, and an acclaimed cookbook.
A VIP reception with passed hors d’oeuvres from the host hotel’s chef David Harrower preceded the dinner and encomiums. Chefs Shirley Lee, Maggie Scales (with Diego Mira), Meg Bickford, Adam Biderman, Tyler Spreen, Susan Spicer (a recent honoree), Arvinder and Ashwin Vilkhu, and Ryan Hacker helped feed the flock. Libations were numerous, including Neal Bodenheimer’s negronis.
The program’s headliners were emcee Ian McNulty, Billy Link, Amanda Shaw, Braithe Tidwell (who sabered a bottle of Champagne), and speakers Spicer, Bill Hammack (with Janice Parmelee), Ti Martin, and chefs John Harris, Stephen Stryjewski and Ryan Prewitt (with Cami).
Business partners Link and Stryjewski were joined by their wives, Cameron Link and Janine Guzzo. Mingling, too, were Michael and Angela DiSimone, Fred Holley, Mike Morgan, Christopher Jordan, Mali Carow, Bill Hines, Mickey Loomis, Al Copeland Jr. and Liz, Gary Solomon, Scott Rodgers, and Walter and Cathy Isaacson. All Link-ed!
The Pleasure of Business
Two-score it was when the French Quarter Business Association hailed anniversary ado at the Royal Sonesta. Chairing it were Meg Baird of NOLA DMC and Shelley Pigeon of Pigeon’s Catering. Rightfully so, the catering company’s Le (sic) Provisions provided the food. Table centerpieces were gold-painted palm leaves and palmettos with sparkly fairy lights that reflected the art deco theme of the 40th celebration. Large FQBA marquee letters marked the entrance which was draped with a black and gold balloon installation.
Among the celebrants were FQBA president Gina Raby, Dickie Brennan of Dickie Brennan & Company, Omni Royal Orleans General manager David Bilbe, Gary Wollerman of GW Fins, Stacey and George Messina of Messina’s Catering, NOPD Eighth District Captain Lejon Roberts, FQBA administrator Jodi Lafranca and Tim, and from Kean Miller, Jessica Engler, David Halpern, and Stephen Hanneman. Also, Christine Paxton, Suzette Toledano, Danielle Plauche-Shaw, Steven and Anne Queyrouze, Jessica Dietz, Tony Viloria, Ann Kessler, Brian Miguez, Michael Haag, and Gene Olsen. To name a few who bid on the 65 items in the silent auction and tapped a toe to the music of the John Autin Trio.
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This column celebrated the New Orleans Museum of Art (and flowers), the hotel industry (and food arts), and the French Quarter, all of which will be busy this Sunday. Happy Easter!
