Save Venice Raises Half A Million Dollars for Art Restoration in Venice
140 international philanthropists passionate about preserving the cultural treasures of Venice came together for three days and nights of masked revelry in Venice, Italy, for Save Venice’s Carnevale Gala, “All the World’s a Stage.” Proceeds from the event support Save Venice’s mission to conserve at-risk art in Venice, and the 50th Anniversary campaigns, which together represent a commitment of $2 million.
Sponsored by Select Aperitivo with underwriting support from the Gala Chairs and Hosts, the event will net over $500,000 to support Save Venice’s mission and two historic campaigns for the organization’s upcoming 50th Anniversary in October 2021: the conservation of more than 2,400 square feet of Byzantine apse mosaics and walls in the basilica of Santa Maria Assunta on the island of Torcello, the oldest surviving structure in the Venetian lagoon, and the 16th-century Italian Synagogue in the Ghetto of Venice.
Prior to the three-day Gala, there was an invitation-only tour for the inauguration of the exhibition, Drawn From Life: Tiepolo, Longhi, and Guardi, at Ca’ Rezzonico Museum. Pietro Longhi’s spectacular artwork was recently adopted by the Young Friends Steering Committee of Save Venice led by philanthropist and activist Lizzie Asher to preserve the artwork for years to come.
Guests experienced days filled with special opportunities to view works by Paolo Venerose, Pietro Longhi, and Palma il Giovane, restored by Save Venice, and themed evenings in spectacular settings–La Festa di San Valentino at the Ex-Chiesa di Santa Chiara on the island of Murano (attire of Hot Pink, Sizzling Red and Black Tie), the Royal Garden Reverie Ball in Palazzo Pisani Moretta (wear your most luxurious period costumes, fit for kings and queens, masks required) and the Clash of the Centuries Ball (dress to the nines in your favorite time period, masks encouraged) at the Conservatorio Benedetto Marcello in the Palazzo Pisani. The program featured a lecture by British biographer, playwright, and actor Ian Kelly, Casanova on the Stage of Venice; a costume ball designed by renowned Venetian designer Antonia Sautter, a private premiere performance of Phantasmagories: The Life, Deaths, and Miracles of Pulcinella in the Sala Apolinee of La Fenice; and concluded with a blockbuster concert of music through the ages performed by Broadway star Ashley Brown.
Venetian jeweler Alberto Nardi donated an Arlecchino brooch with colored stones and diamonds as the prize for the winner of Treasure Hunt, designed by Michael LaPlaca and sponsored by Beatrice & José Esteve. Save Venice Board member Juan Prieto won the brooch.
In light of the recent historic November flooding in Venice, participation in the Gala not only supported Save Venice’s mission, but also brought crucial patronage to the local businesses and artisans still recovering from the financial impact of the damage.
Generous support was provided by the event Chairs and Sponsors Tina & Jeffrey* Bolton, Lee Essex Doyle, Beatrice & José A. Esteve, Cassandra & Frederick Ilchman, Karin & Peter Leidel, Elizabeth Locke* & John Staelin, Cat Jagger Pollon, Juan Prieto, Tracey Roberts, Francesca Bortolotto Possati, and Matthew White* & Thomas Schumacher, John Wilson & Annasue McCleave Wilson, and event Benefactors Amy Harmon, Bruce Horten, Alan Howard & Caroline Byron, Christopher Todd Page, and Merrill Shields & Dr. M. Ray Thomasson.
Experts and Presenters: Christopher Apostle*, Alberto Craievich, Daniele D’Anz, Nora Gietz, Frederick Ilchman*, Ian Kelly, Gabriele Matino, Cleo Nisse, Xavier Salomon*
PHOTO CREDITS: ©MATTEO PRANDONI BFA.COM, SAVE VENICE YOUNG FRIENDS, MARIBEL LIEBERMAN, SEE INDIVIDUAL PHOTOS FOR CREDIT
The Gala Committee included: Kei Akatsu, Keiko Aoki, Frank & Phyllis Angello, Christopher Apostle*, Barbara & Bruce Berger, Maestro Mauro Bergonzoli & Franziska Countess Fugger von Babenhausen, Ashley Brown & Daniel Wisler, Alyson & Joseph Cafiero, Mary Lea & Bill Carroll, Madame Keika Coombs, Eric Crotty, Daniel Dan, Kate & Andrew Davis, Shana Alessandra Davis & Hudson Gaines-Ross, Sherry & Larry* S. Davis, Isabella De Luca Chartouni & Charlie Ponti, Madame Barbara de Portago, Joy Dinsdale, Lee Essex Doyle*, Adelina Wong Ettelson*, Sergio Fava & Lidia Ricci, Tito Ferguson & Nayef Nebusi, William Fox, Alex Goldsmith & Neil Weiner, Hilary Gosher & David Quigley, Lindsay & Russell Grant, Brad Haak, Trevania & John Henderson, Mary Hilliard, Laura Hodgson & Andrew Jones*, Kathryn & Bruce Hounsell, Daniel Howard & Georgia Clerc, Leah Howard, Frederick* & Cassandra Ilchman, Dick & Pat Jay, Hiroaki Kimura, Casey Kohlberg, Jasmin Kossenjans, Manfred Flynn Kuhnert & Peter Iacono, Mary-Lee Kvietkus, Trecia Laird, Aaron Lieber, Maribel Lieberman, Jenna Mack, Donna Malin, Carol & Doug Mancino, James Meehan, Gina Morda & David S. DeSimone, Kyle Munzenrieder, Natsumi Nishio, Byron Nixon, Chip Oberndorf, Victoria Olcott, Mary Ellen Oldenburg*, Tatsuya Ono, Angela Page, Dr. Frederik Paulsen* & Olga Litviniuk, Skylar Pinchal & Oliver Coysh, Barbara & Charles Pratt, Juan M. Prieto*, Polina Proshkina & Yan Assoun, Mr. William Pugh & Dr. Lisa Santos, Kate & Rawleigh Ralls, Tracey Roberts*, Alexandra Lind Rose*, Mrs. Sandra Rotman, Augustus Rylands & Evis Progonati, Roxanne Sabbag, Rena Sarant & Petros Philippou, Ann Scott, Christina Senia & Mark Bowtell, Gina Senia, Mr. Barty Shepherd, Mrs. Jo Shepherd, Dr. Suman Shirodkar & Dr. Shreeram Aradhye, Ratna Sari Dewi Soekarno, Charles Tolbert*, Georgina & Bowdy Train, Elizabeth da Trindade-Asher* & Daniel Ezra, Tina Walls*, Ryan Walsh & John Barbato, Randa & K.C. Weiner, John Wilson & Annasue McCleave Wilson, Martha Wright*, Chiyoko Yamamoto, Amelia Yuan Yao, and Seeta Zieger.
*Save Venice Board Member
About Save Venice: Save Venice is the leading American non-profit organization dedicated to preserving the artistic heritage of Venice, Italy for the world. Founded in response to the floods of 1966, the worst in recorded history, and incorporated in 1971, Save Venice has since worked tirelessly to preserve, protect, and promote the art and culture of Venice and has funded the conservation of more than 550 projects comprising over 1,000 individual artworks. In 2015, Save Venice established the Rosand Library & Study Center in Venice, creating a nexus for the research of Venetian art, history, and conservation. Save Venice also provides grants for fellowships, exhibitions, and publications to advance Venetian scholarship and conservation. For more information about Save Venice, please visit: www.savevenice.org Instagram & Facebook: @SaveVeniceInc
