With more than 200 artworks up for auction, this year’s gala exceeded the 2008 event in donated pieces, reviews and revenue, according to an e-mail from Rebecca Nort, advancement associate with the department of institutional advancement.
With a sprinkle of glitz and a dash of glam, SCAD-Atlanta transformed into a whole new world for its second annual Scholarship Gala April 16.
Outside, several attendants worked to turn the self-parking garage into one that offered complimentary valet for the night’s guests. Inside, admission tour guides and student volunteers put on their smiling faces to show the guests around campus. Three fashion students dressed in ornate, pink-and-white getups — one with an accordion-style skirt similar to a jack-in-the-box — stood swaying back and forth on round platforms in the main lobby to greet and entertain.
Even some members of the SCAD security team donned suits and ties for the occasion.
About 500 people from Atlanta and beyond, enjoyed a night of live music, cocktails, fancy cuisine and, of course, art to raise money for need-based scholarships.
Paintings and photographic art donated by professors, students and friends of SCAD lined the walls. Other pieces, including jewelry and dinnerware, were scattered on pedestals in the low-lit events space for the silent auction.
VIP guests entered at 6:30p.m. to get a private glance at the pieces and were given the opportunity to place the opening bids or take advantage of the “buy now” option to purchase the art at the listed price. By 7:15, at least eight works were marked with red dots, indicating “sold.”
At 7:30, the remainder of the gala ticket-holders entered to continue bidding. Student volunteers in purple “SCAD” shirts took bids during the silent auction. Some of the volunteers were student ambassadors; others just wanted to help out.
Volunteer Shamollie Anthony, a second-year fashion marketing and management student, said someone recommended her for the post.
“It’s a great opportunity, so I wouldn’t turn it down,” said Anthony, adding that the gala was her first volunteer effort at SCAD.
Servers made their rounds through the crowd of cocktail dresses and suits, serving hors d’oeuvres as a prelude to the main course, catered by Atlanta-based A Legendary Event. The servers also worked to keep guests comfortable and their hands clutter-free throughout the night.
Keeping the art lovers and SCAD supporters entertained during the bidding was the band King Size, playing tunes that ranged Frank Sinatra’s “They Can’t Take That Away From Me” to Mack Rice’s more upbeat “Mustang Sally,” which got the crowd shimmying toward the end of the night.
Adding to the show were SCAD-Savannah performing arts students dressed in aviator-style costumes, dancing up and down ladder-like contraptions that were erected in the center of the room.
Among the guests was the night’s honorary chair Miles Redd, creative director of Oscar de la Renta Home. The Atlanta native took the microphone briefly to thank those who have helped him in his life and career.
Also mingling amongst the guests was SCAD President Paula Wallace.
“This shows how much Atlanta supports the students here,” Wallace said. “It’s a great occasion for the community to come together to celebrate the talent at SCAD. It’s very heartwarming for me to see so many people come out.”
Wallace said she had a special affection for one of the artworks up for auction. She said the work, “Flying Dog” by professor of photography Steve Aishman, looked just like her dog Chelsea.
Aishman said the dog in his piece is an Italian greyhound, also known as a whippet.
Tickets for the sold-out gala were $250 for VIP and $150 for Cocktail Tickets. Procedes from the event will be distributed into need-based endowed scholarships for SCAD-Atlanta students.
