Room to Bloom, The Mint Museum Auxiliary’s spring fundraiser series, kicked off its first event, the annual Decorative Arts Symposium, on Wednesday, April 25 at the Charlotte Country Club.
Keynote speaker Celerie Kemble is a renowned interior designer based in New York, with an international clientele. Kemble gave a presentation on her life and work and signed copies of her new book, “Black & White (and a Bit in Between).”
Kate Charlebois, President of the Auxiliary, expressed her satisfaction in having Celerie Kemble as the guest speaker for the symposium, describing Celerie’s design philosophy as “incredibly thoughtful.” Charlebois also expressed her belief that Celerie was a wonderful choice because the designer’s “outlook aligns beautifully with Charlotte’s design aesthetic.”
A silent auction of donated items from local businesses and artists ranging from fine oil paintings to fine jewelry raised nearly $20,000. Room to Bloom Chairs Terah Polite and Libby Gordon expressed their gratitude for corporate sponsors Belk, Lilly Pulitzer and Wells Fargo Private Bank stating that without the generous support of these companies, it wouldn’t be possible for them to host these events.
Since its inception, the Mint Museum Auxiliary’s primary goal has been fundraising; in the 1960’s the group began acquiring artworks to increase the then fledgling museum’s collection. In the mid-1990s, the Auxiliary decided to extend its role once more by agreeing to fund D.I.G.S.: “Deciphering & Investigating Great Societies,” an educational program which centers on the Mint’s extensive collection of pre-Columbian art.
Thanks to funding provided through the Mint Museum Auxiliary, this program serves about 9,000 students, including all CMS fifth graders.
- Melinda Willms, photos by Joe Martin
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- Mint Museum Auxiliary’s Room to Bloom
