GALA APPEALS TO HEART AND SOUL

"Put a Little ART in your HeART" were the buzzwords at the HeART & Soul gala presented by the St. Tammany Art Association in partnership with the New Orleans Museum of Art on Sept. 19.

Love was in the air at the Art House where more than 40 heart boxes created by local artists were up for auction.

A raspberry-gator martini fountain and a full bar fueled the fun, and guests noshed on beef filet tips, almond crusted shrimp and chocolate covered strawberries. Thanked for the taste temptations was Jeff Curtis.

The jazz duo of Chris Edmunds and Matt Johnson spiked up the beat for memorable musical moments.

On exhibit during the gala was the St. Tammany Photographic Society Members Exhibition "Visions of the Northshore" and a portion of the exhibition "In the Spirit: The Photography of Michael P. Smith" from The Historic New Orleans Collection, the late photographer's documentation of jazz funerals, Mardi Gras Indians, brass bands and New Orleans spiritualist churches.

All proceeds from HeART & Soul went to the art association's mission of providing support to local artists and education to the community.

St. Tammany Art Association board members are Cliff Bergeron, president; Catherine Cooper, vice president; Anne Wilson, treasurer; Roberta Bruck, membership chairwoman; Cathy Deano, immediate past president; Michael Eddy; Frank Levy; Laurie Pennison; John Preble; Nancy Ross; Peggy Schoen; Ruth Siporski; Mickey Weitsen and Mary Monk, art coordinator.

The Art House will be open the evening of Oct. 30 for Final Friday. On exhibit is "Material Connection - A Glass Thread Through NOCGI" (New Orleans Creative Glass Institute) curated by Paulo Dufour. There will be demonstrations in front of the Art House, and wine and beer for sale.

Published on NOLA.com Wednesday, October 21, 2009 2:45 p.m.

Published in The Times-Picayune Thursday, October 22, 2009...