A Fellow Who Speaks Up for the Arts

The arts are in trouble, according to Harold Williams, president and CEO of the J. Paul Getty Trust, University of California regent and former chairman of the U. S. Securities and Exchange Commission.

“They’re being hurt with difficult budgetary times--far more than other areas,” he said, accepting an Honorary Fellow award from UCLA College of Letters and Science provost Raymond L. Orbach during a black-tie dinner last week at the Beverly Wilshire.

“To be a technocrat alone does not speak well for society,” Williams said. Appreciation for the arts, he continued, will determine the quality of our future.

A civilized society, he added, also needs to read more. “How many of our young people realize the importance of the separation of power (in government). . . . How many really understand the Bill of Rights and how we got there?”

UC President David Gardner headed educators and civic leaders in the audience. More involved were UCLA Chancellor Charles Young with wife Sue, Herbert and Margery Morris, Franklin and Judith Murphy, Nancy Englander, John and Connie Gavin, Sheldon and Sandra Ausman and A. J. and Caryl Carothers. Peter N. Ladefoged, professor of phonetics, received the faculty award. Deanna D. Cherry, Stephen N. Gomperts and Todd W. Farris accepted student awards.

WHAT A DAY: When most of the plaudits were over for Weta and Dr. Allen Mathies, the doctor stood up and sang “What a Day This Has Been,” backed up by the 17-piece West Side Jazz Ensemble, which Mireya Jones and Ken and Bobbie Galpin chose for the evening’s dancing.

About 200 pals--from Huntington Memorial Hospital, which Mathies heads, the Los Angeles Philharmonic, Pacific Clinics and Los Angeles County/USC Medical Center--joined at Brookside Country Club in Pasadena to raise nearly $40,000 to benefit CARES, the child and family program at the medical center.

KUDOS: To James McElvany, chairing the Gene Autry Western Heritage Museum gala Nov. 18. . . .

To Cardinal Roger Mahoney, receiving Santa Marta Hospital’s Life Spirit Award Nov. 18. . . .

To Los Angeles International Art Awards recipients: artist Sam Francis and Henry Hopkins, chair of the UCLA department of art, Nov. 19 at the ART/LA91 benefit preview. . . .

To Loyola Marymount University’s new regents John O. Adams and Dick Poladian. . . .

To Trojan League’s benefit. It was headed by Anne Troost and saluted USC’s dean of engineering Leonard M. Silverman. . . .

To honorary chair Robert Wagner, spearheading Saint John’s Hospital’s annual golf classic at Riviera Country Club and netting $40,000.

SOCIAL RACE: Marilyn Quayle, wife of the vice president, will be here for next Thursday’s awards dinner for the Alexander Graham Bell Assn. for the Deaf. Jack Valenti chairs the event, planned to honor Los Angeles-area companies and individuals. It’s black-tie at the Museum of Flying in Santa Monica. . . .

The same evening Ted Turner speaks at the Boy Scouts of America (Western Los Angeles County Council) dinner feting William Hanna. That’s black-tie, too, at the Century Plaza. . . .

The night before, Wednesday, Turner, Candice Bergen and Susie Russell Tompkins (co-founder of Esprit clothing) will be saluted by Planned Parenthood Los Angeles at a “Freedom of Choice, Freedom of Speech” gala at the Century Plaza. Major supporters include Joan and John Hotchkis, Pauline Phillips and Patricia and Michael Medavoy.

CONSULS: Turkey’s Consul General Mehmet Emre and his wife, Sema, hosted a reception in Hancock Park Tuesday evening to celebrate the 68th anniversary of the founding of the Turkish republic. . . .

And welcome to Canada’s new consul general--Reginald H. Dorrett and his wife, Isabelle Jean.

FIRST LADIES: The Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History now boasts 81 Friends of the First Ladies. (They give $10,000 each.)

Chair Dorene Whitney has coordinated a royal week Nov. 14-20. for members from across the country. They’ll hit Wilshire Boulevard and Rodeo Drive to look at prestigious fashion houses, then visit the Nixon and Reagan libraries, lunch with Nancy Reagan and buzz down to Rancho Mirage for a visit with Betty Ford.

The museum opens its First Ladies exhibition, entitled “First Ladies: Political Role and Public Image,” in March, 1992.

PLAUDITS: Los Angeles observes National Philanthropy Day Nov. 15 at a breakfast at the Beverly Hilton. To be honored are Thomas and Katherine Pike, Harold Benjamin, Keith Renken, Arnie Gudino, Amanda Brollier, Carmela Lacayo, the Starlight Foundation and the Newhall Land & Farming Co.

THE 25TH: The Ladies of Charity of the Archdiocese of Los Angeles celebrated its 25th Saint Louise de Marillac luncheon Thursday at the Beverly Hilton with Cardinal Roger Mahony the guest of honor. Planning it all: Joan O’Brien, president, and Marjorie Fairbanks, Andrea Kostyzak and Peggy Frame. Founded in 1617, the Ladies of Charity is considered to have been one of the world’s first to aid the poor.

‘TIS THE SEASON: The Gift Shop at Good Samaritan Hospital offers its annual preview Nov. 6 and 7, says auxiliary president Amie Lu Haake. . . .