By: Kylie Kinnett Photo by: Rachel Benavides
Last year, I had the pleasure of attending the Art Museum ofbrSouth Texas’ ArtBall (formally known as gala). As a 23-year-old, that was mostbrcertainly the fanciest event I had ever attended. You’d think I would have beenbrnervous or felt as though I didn’t belong in such a room. However, it was onebrof the most fun nights I had ever been a part of. I ate good food, drank strongbrdrinks, perused amazing art, had wonderful conversations, and, of course,brdanced the night away.
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Fast forward a year later, I am now on the Board of Trusteesbrof the museum. Sharing news, events, and highlights in regard to the Art Museumbris one of my duties as both a board member and a writer. So, here I am, tellingbryou exactly why you should attend the ArtBall 2018 on November 8th.
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First things first. While yes, the tickets are not the samebrprice as say, a cover fee at a local concert venue on a Thursday night, it isbrstill worth every penny. For starters, this year’s event is taking things backbrhome. The ball will be held at the museum itself, for the first time in quite abrwhile. The beauty and architecture the Art Museum holds is, on its own, enoughbrto want to spend the evening partying away there. However, I understand youbrmight need a little bit more convincing.
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“We are melding the best parts of our innovative artRageousbrsummer parties with the spectacular style of the traditional gala,” EventbrCo-Chair, Jessica Gignac, says in reference to the unique evening they havebrplanned.
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The theme for the evening revolves around a one-of-a-kindbrbioluminescent experience. I am not sure exactly what that means décor wise,brbut I am hoping for a whole lot of glow sticks or maybe even tanks of jellybrfish (Too much? Who knows).
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If you’ve ever been to an event at the Art Museum (which ifbrthe answer is no, that means you’ve never been to Local’s List and that isbrunfortunate for you), then you’ll understand just how magnificent an eveningbrspent there is. The ambiance is already there; but, add in a stellar, black-tiebroutfit, plenty of drinks to go around, silent art auctions, and another silentbrauction filled with exciting packages (FYI, The Bend has donated something tobrthe silent auction and it’s a prize well worth bidding on), and you have thebrrecipe for a night filled with FOMO if you are viewing it via your Instagrambrstories because you aren’t in attendance.
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Another reason to attend? Bobby Yang and his live jam bandbrwill be providing entertainment for the night. Unfamiliar? Google him and watchbrsome YouTube videos immediately. My guess is Bobby and his band bring thebrultimate dance party experience.
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Have you bought your ticket yet or are you still reading this?brEither way, I should also mention the fact that there will be a liquor pull!brThis means all attendees will have the opportunity to dip their hands into abrshimmery pool and retrieve a token. Each token corresponds to a bottle ofbrliquor they will have just won! Oh, and while we are on the topic of liquor,brthere will also be an ice luge. And, yes, this means receiving a signature cocktailbrfrom a block of ice. I’m getting freshman year of college flashbacks in thebrbest way possible.
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Lastly, and probably most importantly, this event serves asbrthe Art Museum of South Texas’ largest annual fundraiser. You know that awesomebrexhibit you went to a couple months ago and loved so much? This helps allowbrthat exhibit to have a home in the museum. You know that summer camp youbrenrolled your kids in that they couldn’t stop talking about after it was over?brYup, this helps make that possible. You know the fun and educational events andbrworkshops that both bring a little more culture to your life and excitement tobryour day? You guessed it, this helps in making that a thing.
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The result of everything I just said above? A transformativebrevent that takes on the traditional concept of a gala and flips it on its headbrto create a 21st century bioluminescent celebration of art. One youbrmost definitely will want to be a part of.
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Tickets are on sale now and can be purchasedbrthrough the Art Museum of South Texas’ website: artmuseumofsouthtexas.org.
