Undiscovered Gems

On Tuesday, Sept. 11, 2007, the California Community Foundation held a Legacy Society Event at the Craft and Folk Art Museum as part of its “Undiscovered Gems” event series. CCF donors and Legacy Society members enjoyed an exclusive tour of the museum, a private performance by a critically-acclaimed orchestra and learned about CCF’s long-time support of the arts.  

Guests learned about the museum’s history and current exhibitions from Executive Director Maryna Hrushetska and Nancy Romero, daughter of museum founder Edith Wyle.  According to Romero, her mother created the Egg and the Eye, a café and shop that featured rotating artwork.  It eventually evolved into the present day museum as a testament to her mother’s love of folk art and craft.

Hrushetska introduced international artist Eva Zeisel’s distinctive ceramics and Sonny King’s captivating dioramas of circus life.  As a ceramic artist for over eight decades, Zeisel is based in New York and continues to design unique, collectable pieces that have been featured by various museums as well as home and fine china retailers such as Bloomingdales, Nambé, Italy’s Mancioli, and Japan’s Norleans Meito.  King’s artwork was inspired by his childhood summers traveling with his father’s circus.

The Santa Cecilia Orchestra’s String Quartet provided enlighting music as guests toured the museum and mingled in the patio. Mitch O’Farrell, board member of the Santa Cecilia Orchestra, talked about the orchestra’s history, mission and music programs. For 15 years, the Santa Cecilia Orchestra has made classical music more accessible to low-income, underserved communities by offering free and affordable, high quality concerts as well as music education and outreach programs.

Arts and culture are both prominent in CCF’s work.  Foundation President and CEO Antonia Hernández spoke about the importance of supporting a vibrant arts and culture community in Los Angeles County.  She noted how both the Craft and Folk Art Museum and the Santa Cecilia Orchestra are perfect examples of nonprofit organizations that are part of L.A.’s vital creative community.  

For more information about this event and the Legacy Society, contact Donor Services Associate Courtney Gross at (213) 413-4130 x264.

Click on the thumbnail to view a large version of each photo from the event.

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