Duluth Celebrates Art at Soiree

The Duluth Fine Arts League’s “Arts at Twilight” brought enthusiastic community arts supporters together for an elegant “Evening in Paris” soiree Saturday (July 14).

Nearly twice the number of anticipated guests attended the event at Hardeman Fine Art Glass Studio, and the crowd overflowed onto the Main Street sidewalk in front of the studio and the Duluth Town Green in the rear.

The Parisian-themed evening provided an opportunity for the women to don berets and chic fashions. A few of the men got into the spirit of the festivities by wearing berets, too.

Guests entered under an elaborate door frame created by Grey Eaton of Focal Point Kitchens and Baths, sipped wine and champagne, sampled upscale cuisine by Proof of the Pudding, and admired Ken Hardeman’s stained glass art and collectibles.

Duluth Mayor Nancy Harris, founder and president of DFAL, welcomed the 300 guests wearing a gray beret.

Wire replicas of the Eiffel Tower topped food displays. Dining tables scattered throughout the studio and outdoors were decorated with artist palettes and paint-stained brushes. A garden table, bench and buckets of flowers decorated the street entrance to the studio, while a flower stall was set up just outside the rear exit.

Paintings, photographs and other artwork donated by talented local artists, gift baskets, and other items were offered for bidding in a silent auction.

Liz Simpson was the top bidder for a string of Tahitian pearls valued at $2,750 donated by the Gem Shopping Network.

Entertainment during the evening included a string quartet from Duluth High School, vocalist Benjamin Calderon, an accordionist and a keyboardist. Calderon, a student at Brigham Young University, was the recipient of a scholarship awarded by the Duluth Fine Arts League.

“Arts at Twilight” raises funds for DFAL scholarships presented to Duluth seniors planning to further their education in art.