Garden party out. Tropical dance party in! New Bedford Art Museum hosts fundraiser July 19
NEW BEDFORD – In another new move at the New Bedford Art Museum, the museum’s annual garden party fundraiser will instead be a tropical-themed dance party at Pope’s Island Marina referred to as a “Fantasy Island Dance Party.”
On July 19, from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m, guests will sample tropical cocktails and appetizers, sip sparkling beverages and try their hand at interactive art activities.
Featuring DJ Andy Anello of New Moon Dance Party and the Museum's signature art program on wheels, the artMOBILE, the museum’s dance party promises to be the summer’s hottest dance party in New Bedford.
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"DJ Andy of New Moon Dance Party always creates such a fabulous, cool vibe and their focus on inclusivity aligns perfectly with the Art Museum's mission,” said Suzanne de Vegh, executive director and chief curator.
"The evening promises to be a blast for all ages with beloved Victor Fonseca, one of New Bedford's finest ambassadors leading line dances galore," she added.
There will also be a prize for most original and hottest tropical outfits.
de Vegh is planning an exhibition of olfactory art in summer of 2024, and as a teaser of what's to come has invited non-binary scent artist M Dougherty to present an interactive fragrance art art/performance at the party.
"When M began to describe to me what they had in mind for our guests to experience at the party it reminded me of a wonderful centuries-old Japanese game where players compete to identify the scents of types of incense,” she said.
What's tropical at the Fantasy Island party?
For our Fantasy Island party, the scents come from a variety of sources and are tied to the party's tropical theme. It's our way of introducing M's work and also the concept of olfactory art to New Bedford."
Spending almost 20 years in the New York City museum industry, leading public programs and education in a variety of museums, de Vegh spent 10 years at Japan Society, the American Folk Art Museum and Pratt Institute.
In addition to being a community celebration and fundraiser, the art museum's annual summer party is an opportunity to present a preview of select artists who have upcoming exhibitions at the museum.
This year Alex Buchanan has created a site specific floating sculpture for the party. This special presentation presages Alex's solo exhibition at the art museum next summer. “We’re excited to let people know all the great stuff happening at the museum,” de Vegh added.
Standard-Times staff writer Seth Chitwood can be reached at schitwood@s-t.com. Follow him on twitter: @ChitwoodReports.Support local journalism by purchasing a digital or print subscription to The Standard-Times today.
This article originally appeared on Standard-Times: New Bedford Art Museum to host annual fundraiser event on July 19
