An Affair of the Art 2009
Saturday, October 3, 2009 at the home of Marty and Leah Sklar
An Affair of the Art 2008
Thank you for making our nineteenth annual An Affair of the Art 2008 another terrific fundraiser for Ryman Arts at the home of Leah and Marty Sklar. Over 350 guests enjoyed delicious food and drink and a stunning art show presenting the work of 70 artists, whose work was sold to raise money for the Ryman Arts program. These included professional artists from across Los Angeles working in a wide range of media from ceramic, glass, and bronze to painting, jewelry and printmaking, along with alumni and selected students from Ryman Arts. The gallery-style installation was professionally constructed by Eric Elliott and Ron Antone, and underwritten by Lexington Design and Scenery. We are especially grateful to Lexington for their generosity in making this one-night exhibition possible. In addition, over 50 volunteers provided expertise, enthusiasm, and the manpower needed to make the event a success.
With so many Disney personalities involved as participating artists, committee members, volunteers, and guests, Disney Newsreel featured hosts Marty and Leah Sklar and the event in a recent issue. [Newsreel - October 24, 2008 - PDF 158K ]
The evening began with a very lively event for Patrons, titled The Art of Politics – The Politics of Art. A panel of passionate artists debated how their politics affects their art and whether their art affects our politics. The discussion was moderated by Martin Kaplan – once the chief speechwriter for Vice President Walter F. Mondale –and the Founding Director of the Norman Lear Center, USC Annenberg School for Communication.
The panelists included:
Retna A visual artist with roots in graffiti art, his vibrant paintings incorporating calligraphy, social commentary and popular culture have been on view internationally. Whether his paintings hang in a gallery or at a political rally, they serve as a retina through which we view the urban journal of contemporary issues.
Mark Kirkland has been an animator, fine art photographer and director, most notably for over 50 episodes of The Simpsons. The antics of the dysfunctional Simpson family prompt chuckles, outrage, and fresh conversation on issues of American life.
Mark Murphy has been presenting provocative, artistically edgy performances as Executive Director of REDCAT at Disney Hall, the most talked about performing arts space in town. Mark is an influential leader in international contemporary performing arts, with 20 years of experience producing, presenting and developing new audiences for interdisciplinary performances.
Susan Tibbles’ unique assemblages—in two dimensional photographic reproductions—have illuminated the Op-Ed pages of the San Francisco Examiner and The Los Angeles Times since she was first asked to create a piece addressing the Bush-Gore presidential race in 2000. Tibble’s work visually documents the arc of recent political history and commentary through art.
Our appreciation goes to Martin Kaplan, Retna, Mark Kirkland, Mark Murphy, and Susan Tibbles for a thoroughly engrossing and timely program.
Ryman Arts thanks our Corporate Sponsors for An Affair of the Art 2008
View Images from 2008 event
View Images from 2007 event
View images from 2006 event
View images from the 2005 event
