Each fall season, supporters of the Creative Alliance volunteer to host a series of parties and dinners in a variety of settings over the course of several months, all to benefit this hometown arts organization. This year, 33 soirées were held, promising a mix of artwork, music, food, cocktails and conversation, all with distinct themes and held at homes and venues around the city.
On a Friday evening in mid-October, photographer Dean Alexander and his wife, graphic designer Donna Schaefer, hosted
a “Be Seen” party at their studio space in Federal Hill. This is the second time the couple has opened up this circa-1930s post office-turned-studio for one of the “Art To Dine For” parties for the Creative Alliance, and the crowd that turned out was a mix of movers and shakers in the city’s arts and culture axis.
Guests mingled while sipping specialty martinis (pomegranate/lime/ginger and mango/passion fruit) courtesy of Kevin Miller, executive chef with Widespread Concierge. Several food stations featured spreads from Sascha’s, personal friend (and Dr. Oz “Wellness Warrior”) Bonnie Matthews and Mackenzie Ltd. Further ambience was created by towering arrangements of roses, coxcomb, rhododendron, oak and wild grasses designed by Joe Ennd and by music provided by guest DJ Charisse Nichols.
The sure sign of the evening’s success? The rooms stayed crowded with buzzing conversation for several hours, with guests remaining long past the official end of the party.
