The huge white tent on the grounds of the historic Hyde House in Glens Falls was filled with revelers excited to support the Hyde Collection and have some fun last night for their Annual Gala. Another spectacular summer night served as the backdrop for the celebration. Honorary Chairs Pamela and John Davidson and Executive Director David F. Setford welcomed guests to the evening which started off with a cocktail reception. Guests like John and Kitty Sconzo had a chance to peruse the large selection of generously donated silent auction items lining the tent. During the cocktail reception guests also had a chance to enjoy the exhibitions at the museum: Stephen Knapp: New Light and Tiffany Glass: Painting with Color and Light. It was hard to choose which exhibit was the Tattlers favorite, but if pressed I guess we could say the Tiffany one, it was simply gorgeous.
Executive Director David F. Setford addressed the crowd…
“The Hyde Collection used to be called Upstate New York’s best kept secret. But it is a secret no more with over 30,000 visitors each year.”
Executive Director of The Hyde Collection David F. Setford
Setford spoke with excitement about the plans for the Hyde to partner with Yaddo and the Charles Wood Theater for a performance in the upcoming Adirondack Theater Festival. He also spoke to the guests with a heavy heart, as he will be leaving the Hyde at the end of the summer. He shared his feelings about how much the support and commitment of members and donors means to the museum and how that was reflected in the guests and donors at the gala. The Tattlers could also see the support in the filled room. Guests like Linda Toohey, Natalie and Charles Wait, Jr., Nick and Linda Frangella and Christel and Colin MacLean were all there to support the Museum’s educational programming, exhibitions, and collections care activities. Volunteers for the event wore fun flashing light rings which you could see sparkling on many hands throughout the event.
Natalie and Charles Wait, Jr.
Carolyn vonSchank, Stephen vonSchank and Linda Toohey
The live auction was up next, and up on the block was another Tiffany item. Bidders had the chance to sponsor a Tiffany window at the museum and the bidding was heated under the tent. Martin Seelye held the auction and the excitement built as guests were eager to win their favorites. Jim and Jan Patterson donated a Casita in Sante Fe for a week and Martin was busy keeping up with the bidding on that hot item as well. Many cheers went up as the items were won, and after the live auction guests were treated to an elegant dinner catered by Classé Catering.
A gorgeous oil painting by Michael Dolen up for bids in the silent auction.
Guests under the tent.
Molly Lebowitz and Sam Wildman
After the delicious dinner, guests had a chance to check on their silent auction bids and make one last attempt before it closed to win their favorites. Silent auction bidders circled their favorites, with hot items from Glimmerglass Opera, the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame, Wishing Well Restaurant and more. As the bids were collected the band Standing Room Only started up and the dance floor was soon filled. As the Tattlers made their way out under the glittering awning set up for the event we were delighted to catch one more piece of art as we left, one of Stephen Knapp’s “lightpaintings”. It served as a beautiful reminder of how important the Hyde Collection is, and we can’t wait to come back next year to show our support for this true gem in Glens Falls.
Our last gilmpse of art as the Tattlers headed home, one of Stephen Knapp’s “lightpaintings”
As always, you can find the live feed from this event on our Twitter page here, and check out the full gallery from the elegant evening on our facebook page here. If you have an event you’d like us to come Tattle on, email us at TogaTattlers@saratogian.com. What will we be Tattling on next? You have to stay tuned to find out…
