GLOBAL ART GALA

Photos by Party of Two Photography

The Mint Museum’s Coveted Couture Spring Gala presented by Wells Fargo Private Bank was also a celebration of the final days of the museum’s popular exhibition African-Print Fashion Now! A Story of Taste, Globalization, and Style. 

Just like the exhibit, the gala was colorful, culturally rich and reflective of the global community. Always a must-attend event, tickets sold out quickly. The Gala Chairs were chic couple Ashley and Scott Mattei who set the tone for the fashion-forward evening

Four hundred of Charlotte’s most prominent civic leaders, supporters and museum patrons were part of the glamorous black-tie dinner dance. Their participation allows the museum to continue its great programs that reach into all sectors of the commmunity.

“The gala is so important because it’s our signature fundraising event for the museum,” says The Mint Museum’s President & CEO Todd Herman. “It affords us the opportunity to celebrate our positive impact on the community with our closest donors and corporate supporters while raising critical monies for our annual fund. The genuine love and passion poured into this event by all those that touch it truly makes the difference.”

Guests filled the Mint’s park-like lawn with fun, fashion, friendship and philanthropy before a seated dinner under a beautifully decorated tent. Afterward, the tent was turned into a dance party as guests of all ages joined in the revelry.

Todd’s favorite part of the evening is mingling with friends and his Mint family all in support of art. “It is all so inspiring, moving and intensely gratifying to witness the energy and enthusiasm for our mission,” he says. “What I also find inspiring are the mix of people at our gala who support the Mint and many of the other arts organizations in Charlotte. It truly is an ecosystem that only survives when we all work together.”

A VOGUE-WORTHY EVENT

Todd A. Herman, Tonne Goodman, Chandra Johnson and Ivan Shaw.

Photos by Lydia Bittner-Baird

It was a Vogue-worthy evening when Wells Fargo Private Bank, SOCO Gallery and The Mint Museum hosted Cocktails, Conversation, and a Book Signing with Tonne Goodman and Ivan Shaw. The celebration was in honor of Vogue Fashion Director Tonne Goodman’s new book, Point of View: Four Decades of Defining Style.

The ultra-chic attendees gathered for cocktails on the lawn of the Mint Museum’s Randolph Road location before being seated under a modern tent for a light supper and a program focused on Tonne’s storied career as a fashion influencer.

Surrounded by stunning flowers from Watered Garden Florist, Tonne and fellow legend Ivan, Vogue’s director of Photography and producer of the book, were interviewed on stage by the Mint Museum’s new president and CEO Todd A. Herman. (Ivan is also famous for being the inspiration for the beloved character Nigel in The Devil Wears Prada.)

“It was an incredible honor to host Tonne and Ivan in Charlotte,” SOCO Gallery owner Chandra Johnson says. “Tonne is an enormous part of fashion history. It was a privilege to hear about the numerous iconic fashion images she has created over the years and how she shaped her eye to be one of the most influential editors of our generation.”

The idea for the evening began because book signings are such a strong part of the programming at SOCO Gallery. Chandra was working with Ivan on a previous SOCO Gallery signing of Around That Time: Horst at Home in Vogue when he mentioned Tonne’s new publication. “I jumped at the opportunity to bring her to Charlotte,” Chandra says. “I was delighted The Mint Museum and Wells Fargo partnered with us for the event.”

Each guest received a copy of the gorgeous visual biography, which Tonne signed. But that may not be the end.

After such an engaging and positive evening, Tonne and Ivan became huge fans of Charlotte. “Ivan is quickly becoming a Queen City regular and we are already in discussion about another signing for a book he is producing with Jim Moore from GQ,” Chandra says.