LACMA Anniversary Bash Draws Crowds, Gifts

In a way, the celebration of the L. A. County Museum of Art’s 25th anniversary Saturday night was just like anyone else’s anniversary--they threw a party and they showed off the gifts. Except in the museum’s case, there were almost 600 black-tie guests and the presents were 70 donated works of art.

“This represents a significant addition to the collection,” said board of trustees president Robert Maguire. “It shows the range of support for the museum and it reflects the diversity of the museum’s collection.”

The party itself reflected diversity. Many of LACMA’s affairs can be, to use a kind word, formal. However the gala was wonderfully lively and took creative advantage of the museum’s previously untapped facilities. Plus it raised $600,000.

Co-chaired by Terry Bell, Mia Frost and Dona Kendall, full use was made of all the museum’s buildings, delivering unexpected pleasures. In the Ahmanson Building, there was waltz music with Continental dining in the basement. The display of the newly donated art, American foods and 1920s-style jazz were served up on the first floor. French hors d’oeuvres and baroque chamber music entertained guests on the second floor, and Indian cuisine plus Middle Eastern music on the third.

Sushi and sake were served in the Japanese pavilion. The Anderson building had California pizza and a seafood buffet plus a deafening percussionist. And in the Central Court, a band with three back-up singers blasted out such rock ‘n’ roll classics as “Heat Wave” to a dancing crowd.

Among those on hand who made the anniversary a success with their donations of art were Edward (LACMA founding president) and Hannah Carter, Iris and Gerald Cantor, Yvonne Lenart, Dorothy Blankfort, Elyse and Stanley Grinstein, Frederick Weisman, Richard and Dorothy Sherwood, Alma Shoemaker, Jo Ann and Julian Ganz, Julius and Anita Zelman, and Dorothy Collins Brown.

Maguire had said he thought the anniversary was “the springboard for the next 25 years.” If that’s the case, then the party was the perfect first dive.