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"Arts Alive" Grand Gala Celebrates Grand Opening

Thursday, May 10, 2007

RESERVE TICKETS NOW FOR “ARTS ALIVE”

GRAND GALA TO CELEBRATE THE OPENING OF

THE NEW DETROIT INSTITUTE OF ARTS, NOVEMBER 10, 2007

 

Exclusive first-look black-tie fundraiser offers an extraordinary evening of art experiences

 with Michael Israel, Alex Donner, Chris Nuñez and more!

 

 

            May 10, 2007 (DETROIT)—It’s the party Detroit has been waiting for…for six years! Arts Alive, the grand gala opening celebration of the new Detroit Institute of Arts (DIA), will be held November 10, and will offer an extraordinary evening of art experiences on many levels. Guests will be among the first to exclusively preview the new DIA—truly a once in a lifetime opportunity. A change of this magnitude has not happened since the museum’s original building opened in 1927.  

 

            Following a $158 million, six-year renovation and expansion project, the new DIA with completely re-organized galleries and expansive new public spaces will be unveiled at this spectacular fundraising party for Detroit’s own national treasure. And while the new DIA will be the main attraction at Arts Alive, a diverse line-up of national and local entertainment will wow partygoers as they experience the museum—and art—as never before.

 

            Special guests and performers are still being added to the final schedule of events for the evening, but confirmed entertainment includes:

 

o       Performance painter Michael Israel -- Wielding his paintbrushes like swords, Israel moves in rhythm to music while splashing his canvasses with color.  He has graced Olympic stages, presidential galas and Las Vegas events. Israel’s finished work will be sold at auction during the evening.

 

o       Alex Donner and his orchestra -- Rave reviews follow Donner around the country, whether he’s playing swing, disco, big band, Latin or rock’n’roll. At Arts Alive, Donner will perform during the private dinner and into the early part of the evening.

 

o       Chris Nuñez of The Learning Channel’s (TLC) reality show Miami Ink will create personalized temporary tattoos for gala guests.

                       

            This spectacular evening to celebrate the new DIA is being orchestrated by event chairpersons Mary Kay Crain, Jennifer Fischer, Carlita Kilpatrick and Marianne Schwartz.

 

Ticket Information

            Reserve tickets now to Arts Alive before the official on-sale date in September. Advance reservations are now being accepted by calling (313) 833-7967. Ticket prices range from $200 to attend an After Glow, to $2,500 for a Private Dinner & Gala Experience package which also includes the After Glow, an exclusive gallery tour on November 15 (prior to the public opening), admission to a Detroit Film Theatre (DFT) Preview Party (details to be announced at a later date), an official program book, and a commemorative gift. A Gala Experience & Strolling Supper package is also available for $600, and includes admission to the After Glow, an exclusive gallery tour, and the DFT Preview Party. For more information, call (313) 833-7967.

           

DIA Temporary Closing & Public Reopening

            To complete the final phase of the renovation project, which includes reinstalling over 6000 works of art in redesigned galleries, the museum will close beginning Monday, May 28, the day after the Ansel Adams exhibition ends.  

            Arts Alive on Nov. 10 will kick off more than a week of grand re-opening events. The museum officially re-opens to the public at 10 a.m. on Friday, Nov. 23, the day after Thanksgiving.  

 

# # #

The Detroit Institute of Arts (DIA), one of the premier art museums in the United States, is home to more than 60,000 works that comprise a multicultural survey of human creativity from ancient times through the 21st century. From the first van Gogh painting to enter a U.S. museum (Self Portrait, 1887), to Diego Rivera's world-renowned Detroit Industry murals (1932–33), the DIA's collection is known for its quality, range and depth.

 

The DIA is currently undergoing a major renovation, and will be closed from May 28-Nov. 23 in order to complete the reinstallation of some 6000 works of art. While we are closed, we have many summer activities to enjoy, including mini golf on the lawn, the DFT Film and Music Festival, and drop-in workshops at art festivals around Michigan. Visit dia.org for more information.

 

Programs are made possible with support from the Michigan Council for Arts and Cultural Affairs and the City of Detroit.

 

 

Media Contacts                     Pamela Marcil  313-833-7899 pmarcil@dia.org

                                                Brendy Barr     248-651-4858 bbarr@dia.org

 

 

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