Artist Richard Jolley with Shelley Middleberg Glazer, a fan and benefactor from New Orleans.
When I tell folks the Glass Ball at the Knoxville Museum of Art was one of the best parties I’ve ever attended, many ask what made it so great. I think it was a combination of things.
- The setting. The refurbished museum is lovely. The marble floors, cracked from water damage and from heavy equipment used to hang the Dale Chihuly exhibit years ago, have been repaired thanks to a $6 million fundraising campaign. The north and south gardens have been given attention and are now awesome outdoor spaces. The sold-out $200-per-ticket party — attended by more than 500 people, including 150 from out-of-town — moved fluidly among the three locales.
- The food. I can’t even begin to tell you! Caterer Holly Hambright of Holly’s Eventful Dining truly outdid herself. There was a raw oyster bar, a sushi bar, a full buffet featuring fresh seafood, a carving station. And, on top of all that, passed hors d’oeuvres (which, by the way, included lobster corn dogs!) A dessert station featured a dozen different treats by Holly’s sister, Peggy Hambright, of Magpies. And, for the after-party, which started at 10, still another hot and cold buffet was brought out. Also important: plenty of full bars staffed by the great folks from The Pour Guys bartending service. The fact that the food and drink bars were spread throughout the three spaces made it fun to wander around and talk to a wide variety of guests.
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Christi Branscom, right, with her daughter, Grace Eakin.
The music. The Streamliners provided big band swing for dancing, and Nancy Brennan Strange followed with soulful jazz and blues for the after-party. But you didn’t have to listen to the music. There was plenty of seating in all the areas for more intimate gatherings.
- The occasion. The reason for the party — and for all the festivities at the beginning of this month — was the opening of the permanent Richard Jolley installation, “Cycle of Life: Within the Power of Dreams and the Wonder of Infinity.” The Blue Streak has written extensively about this epic project, one of the largest figurative glass and steel assemblages in the world. Click here and here and here. But the official unveiling this month still was a breathtaking moment augmented by the stunning lighting of the project (provided by Knoxville’s own Bandit Lites).
- The guests. Nothing adds a festive atmosphere like a bunch of guys with wires in their ears talking into their sleeves! Yes, the Governor and First Lady were on hand (thus, the security). But so was Knoxville’s mayor and every major philanthropist and community supporter you can name. I’ve often said that Knoxville is like a big high school because everyone seems to know everyone else. If that’s the case, this was the over-the-top senior prom.
Hats off to Gay Lyons, chair of the committee that planned the party. And congrats to everyone associated with the Knoxville Museum of Art, a true community treasure, now shining more brightly than ever.
Ann and Steve Bailey with artist Tommie Rush, right, Richard Jolley’s wife. The Baileys commissioned the Jolley work, and the museum’s trustees have changed the name of the former Great Hall to the Ann and Steve Bailey Hall.
From left, City Councilman Finbarr Saunders, Ellen Bebb, Gov. Bill Haslam and First Lady Crissy Haslam.
Sharon Pryse, left, with Natalie and Jim Haslam.
Mayor Madeline Rogero, center, with Dorothy and Caesar Stair III.
From left, Kevin and Meg Counts, Jimmy Haslam and Anita Tiburzi.
Dan McGehee and Gay Lyons
Whitney Haslam Johnson, left, and Cynthia Haslam Arnholt.
Former Knoxville Mayor and Ambassador to Poland Victor Ashe, center, with Karen and Bob Gilbertson.
The happiest guy there! David Butler, executive director of the Knoxville Museum of Art.
From left, Dr. Michelle Brewer, Janet Testerman Crossley, Janet Testerman Creswell and Joey Creswell in the South Garden.
Here are those lobster corn dogs!
Holly even made the radishes delicious!
Mary Celeste and Sam Beall
Pete and Cindi DeBusk.
Richard Jolley gives a kiss on the head to Joan Allen.
Vicki Williams Baumgartner, left, with Mike Strickland and Allison Burchett of Bandit Lites.
Allison Lederer, right, with Laura and Mark Heinz.
Big crowd in the Ann and Steve Bailey Hall.
City Councilman (and former mayor) Dan and Cathy Brown.
Did they plan these outfits? Mayor Madeline Rogero with attorney and art enthusiast Don Bosch.
From left, Jim Begalla, Bill and Anne May, and Marty Begalla in the North Garden.
From left, Barbara Bernstein, Sherri Lee and Joan Cronan.
Jeanette Carlson and Sam Brewington in the South Garden.
Kay Clayton and Jim Martin.
Nancy and Stephen Land. His company, Jupiter Entertainment, has produced a documentary about the Jolley installation.
Doug Tabor and Jennifer Holder.
Caterer Holly Hambright posing with a huge tray of crudites.
Part of the dessert table by Magpies.
These balls and the bird are made of spun sugar to mimic the Jolley exhibit. Very clever.
Tennessee’s good looking First Couple.
Julia and Gary Bentley.
Maureen Bosch, right, with Birgitta Clark and Ashley Capps.
Myron and Jayne Ely.
Wokie Massaquoi-Wicks, Stephen Wicks and Judy Fardon, in from Chicago. Stephen Wicks is curator of the Knoxville Museum of Art.
From left, Susan Brown, Mark Grayson, Scott and Annette Brun and a nice gentleman from Atlanta.
Joan Allen, right, with Milton and Mimi Turner.
Tom and Melanie Wood.
Joe Ben and Robin Turner.
The Tullock family. Seated, Polly Ailor and Laurens Tullock. Standing, Chyna Brackeen, Laurens’ daughter, and her hubby, Darrien Thomson.
Ted Smith and Lesley Rosenblatt.
Stuart Worden and Lane Hays.
The Streamliners
Bernie and Barbara Bernstein were among the first on the dance floor.
From left, Dr. Steve Brewington, Stephen Land and Bill Pittman.
Soy ginger shrimp was calling my name!
Pickled shrimp was refreshing.
How about the warm garlic Parmesan shrimp?
Or the Portuguese seafood salad. Yum, yum.
Loved the napkins.
Ryan and Elene Cazana.
Peter Acly cracks me up!
Mayor Madeline Rogero with Bernard Rosenblatt, the chair of the KMA Board of Trustees.
Lin Christenberry, left, Judy Morton.
Ellen Robinson, right, with Pamela and Dan Chips.
Ken Levine and Sheena McCall.
Michell Witt and Jim Clayton.
And the prize for most unusual male outfit! Here are Cathy and Mark Hill.
From left, Marsha and Duane Grieve, Natalie and Jim Haslam, and Peter Acly.
Gov. Bill Haslam and Lynne Fugate.
From left, the Very Rev. John Ross, Lois Ross, Gov. Bill and Crissy Haslam, Joe Pryse.
Judith and Michael Foltz.
Joe and Ruth Fielden.
Eddie Mannis and Allison Easterday.
From left, Craig Shelton, Tina Rolen and Bill Pittman.
Bob and Carole Martin.
At 10 p.m., Nancy Brennan Strange took the stage.
Tater tots and sliders were brought out (among other things).
Alan posed with the mayor.
And with his niece, Jeanette Carlson.
And we walked home after a terrific night of celebration.
Many, many stars were out this evening: Richard’s art, the refurbished museum, Ann and Steve Bailey Hall, the Governor and First Lady, the food, music, friends, the Blue Streak and my personal favorite of the evening, niece Jeanette Carlson.
Cynthia, wonderful coverage of a wonderful event.
One comment I heard from a very discerning attendee…… The best, most elegant party I have ever attended.
We’ll done Knoxville.
Cynthia, it was a great party because you and Alan were there!
David: Thanks. But it was so much more. Great planning and execution on part of Museum and volunteers. Congrats, friend!
Great post, Mox! It certainly was the party of the year. Everyone was so happy. Well done Gay, Holly, David and Susan!
Ellen: Yes. People were very happy. It reminded me of the opening of the renovated Tennessee Theatre. That evening Mayor Bill Haslam stood in the back of the auditorium before we opened the doors. “What do you think, Mayor?” I asked him. “I can’t believe we get to keep it,” he said quietly.
I think folks feel the same way about the KMA now.
Great report, Cyn! You covered a lot of ground. It was truly an exceptional event that I will always remember. You should consider starting a new career in Food Photography!
Thanks, Peter! Boy, wouldn’t that be a fun career?
Cynthia, you do such an amazing job on this blog! I felt like I saw hundreds of people I knew but seeing your pictures I see that there were a ton of friends I didn’t see there. I also see a lot of food that I wish I had tried. It was just amazing. Thanks to Gay and David and Mary Ellen and all of the volunteers and staff who made this such a magical night!
I’m so glad you all enjoyed it. Our goal was to throw the best, most splendid, most elegant party ever to celebrate this great moment in KMA history. Let me give a shout out to the amazing planning team: Holly Hambright, Dennis Perkins, Sam George, Janet Testerman Creswell, Craig Shelton, Chris Davis, Dino Cartwright, Vicki Williams Baumgartner, Jason McClure, Christina Selk, and Melynda Whetsel.
All the stars aligned in the cosmos for Richard Jolley and Tommie Rush this evening. The inaugural Glass Ball was magic! What is the date for the next one? Bring it on! What a beautiful new pairing – The Cycle of Life and the exquisite, newly invented KMA!
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