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DAI Art Ball Tickets Now On Sale

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The Dayton Art Institute (DAI) has announced details for its 2024 Art Ball fundraiser, taking place Saturday, June 8. Presented by The SharpGroup – Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Professional Realty & UnlistedHomes.com, the black-tie gala, a Dayton tradition since 1957, returns to celebrate its 67th anniversary.

“We are excited to welcome guests to the 67th anniversary of Art Ball,” said DAI Director & President Michael R. Roediger. “As one of the museum’s largest annual fundraisers, this Dayton classic is vital to supporting the DAI’s operating budget.

This year’s Art Ball continues the long-standing tradition of being inspired by an artwork from the DAI’s permanent collection. Art Ball Chairs Julie Forman and Marty Gehres have selected It’s Raining Colored Dots, a silkscreen on paper, as the artistic feature for this year’s event. Created by Oakwood High School graduate Petah Coyne around 1977, the brightly colored work is a recent gift to the collection from longtime friend of the DAI, Linda Lombard.

“Our goal was to choose a work that captured the vibrancy and spirit of the Disco Era,” says DAI Associate Board members Julie Forman and Marty Gehres. “Our guests will see the artwork’s influence throughout the event, from beautiful décor and exquisite food to the music and atmosphere. We can’t wait to follow the call of the disco ball at Dayton’s best black-tie event of the year.”

Art Ball begins at 7 pm with cocktails, specialty martinis and hors d’oeuvres, followed by an elegant, seated dinner in the museum’s Harry A. Shaw Gothic Cloister and the Great Hall. Following dinner, guests may enjoy live music by Tommi Lea’s Groovy Get Down, a Silent Disco experience, open bars, select bourbons and much more. For an additional ticket price, guests may attend a VIP cocktail hour with high-end wines and hors d’oeuvres, which will offer early entry to Art Ball for a private reception at 6:00 p.m.

Art Ball traces its roots back to Dayton’s Holiday Ball, which began in 1957. Organized by the Junior League of Dayton, the event was held at the DAI, with proceeds benefitting the museum. The event moved to the spring in 1963 and was rechristened as “Art Ball.” In 1965, the DAI’s newly formed Associate Board took over planning and organizing the gala. More information about Art Ball, its history and this year’s featured artwork can be found online at www.daytonartinstitute.org/artball.

Reservations are required for Art Ball, and attendance is limited. Tickets may be purchased online beginning April 6 for non-members. They were for sale April 3rd for members.  For more information about reservations and to request an invitation, contact External Affairs Director Mike Griest at [email protected].

Art Ball also includes the Grand Draw Raffle in its fundraising efforts. Only 600 tickets will be sold for $100 each, with the chance to win prize packages valued at $2500 -$25,000, including a week’s stay for up to 14 people in the Turks and Caicos Islands and beautiful jewelry provided by James Free Jewelers. Ticket holders need not be present at Art Ball to win. Those purchasing three or more raffle tickets receive one free Oktoberfest Preview Party ticket (valued at $95). Grand Draw Raffle tickets may be purchased online beginning March 22. For more information about the Grand Draw Raffle and to purchase tickets online, go towww.artballraffle.com.

Dayton’s Premier Black-Tie Gala Returns for 65th Anniversary

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The Dayton Art Institute (DAI) has announced details for its 2022 Art Ballfundraiser, taking place Saturday, June 11. The black-tie gala, a Dayton tradition since 1957, returns after a three-year absence to celebrate its 65th anniversary.

“After canceling the 2020 and 2021 events due to the COVID-19 pandemic, we are excited to welcome guests back to the museum for the 65th anniversary of Art Ball,” said DAI Director & CEO Michael R. Roediger. “As one of the museum’s largest annual fundraisers, returning to an in-person event is vital to supporting the DAI’s operating budget.”

This year’s Art Ball continues the long-standing tradition of being themed around an artwork from the Dayton Art Institute collection. For the 65th anniversary, the DAI Associate Board–a volunteer board which assists with the planning and implementation of Art Ball and Oktoberfest–has selected a painting from 1957, Ray Parker’s Summer Afternoon, as the inspiration for this year’s theme, Summer Celebration.

Ray Parker (American, 1922–1990), Summer Afternoon, 1957, oil on canvas. Collection of the Dayton Art Institute, museum purchase, 1958.17

“Through a voting process, the entire Associate Board took part in selecting Parker’s painting as the featured artwork,” Roediger said. “The title and warm colors are a perfect complement to our Summer Celebration theme. It’s also fitting it was painted the same year that first Art Ball began.”

Art Ball traces its roots back to Dayton’s Holiday Ball, which began in 1957. Organized by the Junior League of Dayton, they were held at the DAI, with proceeds benefitting the museum. The Junior League’s event moved to the spring in 1963 and was rechristened Art Ball. In 1965, the DAI’s newly formed Associate Board took over planning and organizing Art Ball.

Art Ball begins at 7 p.m. with cocktails and hors d’oeuvres, followed by an elegant, seated dinner in the museum galleries. Following dinner, guests enjoy live music, dancing, open bars, specialty martinis, liqueurs and much more. An extra-cost VIP Cocktail Hour will offer early entry to Art Ball for a private reception at 6:30 p.m., with high-end wines and hors d’oeuvres.

Advance reservations are required for Art Ball and attendance is limited. For more information about reservations and to request an invitation, contact Sponsorship and Special Events Manager Mike Griest, at [email protected].

Art Ball also includes a Grand Draw Raffle as part of its fundraising efforts. Only 600 tickets will be sold for $100 each, with the chance to win prize packages valued at $1,000–$4,000, including exquisite jewelry items, as well as spa, restaurant, gym, adventure and travel prize packages. Ticket holders need not be present at Art Ball to win. Those purchasing three or more raffle tickets get one free Oktoberfest Preview Party ticket.

Grand Draw Raffle tickets may be purchased online beginning Monday, April 11. They may be purchased by phone, at 937-223-4278, or in person at the museum during regular hours beginning Wednesday, April 13. For more information about the Grand Draw Raffle and to purchase tickets online, go towww.daytonartinstitute.org/raffle.

“Having successfully relaunched Oktoberfest last fall with COVID safety measures in place, it is important that we also resume this fundraiser, and do so in a safe and responsible manner,” Roediger said. “Museum leadership has closely followed the scientific data throughout the pandemic and feels it is safe to go forward with a traditional Art Ball.  We will continue to watch the virus data and adjust accordingly.

All proceeds from Art Ball help benefit operations at the Dayton Art Institute.

DAI To Host A Virtual Backyard Ball In Place of Art Ball

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The Dayton Art Institute (DAI) has announced a new at-home fundraising event, Backyard Ball, taking place on June 26. Featuring a special selection of appetizers, wines and special surprises in a commemorative Party Pack, this online fundraiser takes the place of the museum’s traditional Art Ball gala. The DAI made the decision not to hold Art Ball in 2021, for the safety of guests and staff, and began planning for Backyard Ball earlier in the spring.

“We are excited to present Backyard Ball, a fresh, new take on Art Ball! We know how much the community treasures Dayton’s oldest gala, and this format allows the museum’s friends and patrons to continue their support. Our Art Ball chairs, Ariel and Brian Walker, along with the members of our Associate Board, have created a fun and festive event to welcome the first days of summer,” said Dayton Art Institute Director & CEO Michael R. Roediger.

As with the traditional Art Ball, Backyard Ball will be themed around a featured artwork from the DAI collection. Event chairs Ariel and Brian Walker have chosen Janet Fish’s Embroidery from Uzbekistan (2008) as the featured artwork for Backyard Ball.

Backyard Ball Party Packs go on sale May 26, at www.daytonartinstitute.org/artball.

 

Two levels of Party Packs are available, Patron and Grand Patron. Each includes two bottles of wine, a specially designed cocktail-hour party box for two guests and access to an exclusive online party taking place on June 26. Grand Patron packages also include an additional bottle of sparkling wine and a floral centerpiece from The Flower Shoppe.Grand Patron Party Packs are $395 each and Patron Party Packs are $295.

Each Party Pack includes: Kim Crawford Sauvignon Blanc and Terre d’OroRosé; an appetizer box from Kohler Catering featuring various mini appetizers, charcuterie board and desserts; and access to the online party on June 26. The upgraded Grand Patron level includes a bottle of Mumm sparkling Rosé and a floral centerpiece from The Flower Shoppe, specifically inspired by the Backyard Ball featured artwork, Janet Fish’s Embroidery from Uzbekistan.

Backyard Ball also includes a Grand Draw Raffle, featuring five prize packages of gift cards valued at $1,000 or more. Each gift card was purchased by a DAI Associate Board member or DAI staff member from local Dayton businesses that usually donate gift cards to the Art Ball raffle.

Ariel Walker

“This year, we really wanted to show our support for our beloved Dayton businesses who generously donated to Art Ball in previous years,” said Ariel Walker, Backyard Ball chair. “We know local businesses have been hit hard by the pandemic, and we just wanted to show the same generosity they’ve shown this event and the DAI.”

Raffle tickets are $50 each and can be purchased online atwww.daytonartinstitute.org/artball beginning May 26.  A Party Pack does not have to be purchased in order to purchase raffle tickets. Raffle winners will be drawn on June 26.

“We hope that our museum friends will host a Backyard Ball of their own and celebrate the DAI as we reach the end of the pandemic. This fundraiser is vital to us coming out of the COVID-19 crisis financially sound and stronger than before,” Roediger said. “The exclusive online party will include music, wine tasting presentations and a special gallery tour of previous Art Ball featured artworks from the DAI’s collection, as well as many other surprises,” Roediger said.

Party Packs are only available for a very limited time and must be purchased in advance via the DAI website. Sales end June 16, with pickup taking place at the museum on Saturday, June 26, from 3 to 5 p.m. This is a pickup-only event; Party Packs cannot be shipped. The DAI will announce additional details about Party Pack pickup in early June. The online party begins at 8 p.m. on June 26.

 

All proceeds from this new fundraiser help benefit operations at the Dayton Art Institute.

 

Party Pack and Grand Draw Raffle purchasers must be at least 21 years old and residents of the state of Ohio. Participants who place orders are asserting that they are 21 years old or more and are Ohio residents.  Participants must produce a valid photo identification, including proof of Ohio residency and age, when picking up Party Packs. No exceptions will be made.

The Dayton Art Institute collection galleries are open on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. For more information about planning a visit, go towww.daytonartinstitute.org or call 937-223-4ART (4278).