co-chairJennifer Aubrey, MCA Pritzker Director Madeleine Grynsztejn, co-chair Marilyn Fields
Last Wednesday(9/18) Chicago’s art lover, MCA supporters and a bevy of who’s who converged on Navy Pier’s Festival Hall to celebrate Vernissage after it’s 8 year hiatus. The Museum of Contemporary Art celebrated the opening of EXPO Chicago, the international exposition of contemporary/modern art and design, with the prestigious art benefit which raised over $375,000 to support different programs offered at MCA Chicago. The event chaired by Jennifer Aubrey and Marilyn Fields received generous support from Trustees of the Museum of Contemporary Art, MCA Women’s Board as well as sponsors Sidney Garber, Hu-Friedy, AllState and Citibank. Chicago’s Mayor and art lover Rahm Emmanuel was in attendance with his wife Amy Rule
and they were joined by some of Chicago power players-some recently named to Forbes’ billionare’s list such as: Sam and Helen Zell(who was recently named in Forbes) Eric and Liz Lefkofsky, Theaster Gates, Richard Melman, MK Prtizker, MCA Trustees Sara Albrecht, Liza and Marc Brooks, Lois and Steve Eisen, Larry Fields, King Harris, Penny Pritzker, and Cari Sacks, just to name a few.
Nancy Firfer, MCA Board Chair King Harris
Vernissage – a French term for art openings, means “varnishing day” first began in 1982 as the opening celebration for the Chicago International Art Fair; Over the years (1982-2004), the MCA has welcomed over 40,000 guests to what has became one of Chicago’s most sought out and influential art events of the year. Guests indulged in wines provided by Hart Davis Hart Wine Co which complimented the Vosges Chocolate
Eric and Liz Lefkofsky
Vernissage also brought together Chicago’s most notable chefs and restaurants to create the Chef’s Café, where guests were offered a unique sampling of their menu items. Participating restaurants included: 437 Rush, Ada Street, Coco Pazzo, Foodlife, Gemini Bistro, Harry Caray’s, Longman & Eagle, LUXBAR, MK, Paris Club, Park 52, Pelago, Province, Riva, Tru, and Wildfire.
*All Images Jeremy Lawson
