Amy Krzanik reports from Pittsfield.On Saturday, May 18, guests raised their glasses (and their auction paddles) to help The Berkshire Museum celebrate its ninth biennial Wine Gala and Auction. The Ellen Crane Memorial Room was turned into an eden of hors d'ouevres from local favorites Haven Cafe and Bakery, Mission Bar and Tapas, Marketplace Kitchen Caterers, and both Mazzeo's Meat and Seafood and Mazzeo's Ristorante. The partygoers sipped a selection of wines as they bid on silent auction items like rounds of golf, one-on-one painting lessons, and Brooklyn art crawls. Champagne and a live auction followed in the theater, as auctioneer Marie Keep led the bidding on big-ticket items including luxurious vacations, seats to sought-after sporting events, and dinner at local restaurants. Guest of honor Riccardo Illy (shown near left, with Jim and Heidi Nejaime and Illy Marketing Director Myra Fiori) donated Illy coffee and Mastrojanni wine for both auction lots and the post-auction dinner served by Savory Harvest Catering. The night's proceeds benefit education programs for local students, as The Berkshire Museum celebrates its 110th anniversary in the community.
Veronica and Christopher Fenton of Lenox; Mary Ellen Giffels, Berkshire Museum Trustee Buzz McGraw, and Gala Chair Wendy Gordon.
Executive Director Van Shields with Honorary Chair Mike Chefetz; Renee and Steven Erenburg with Committee Members Gideon Argov and Alexandra Fuchs.
Ranjit and Naveena Shastri with Joe and Laurie Gallagher; Trustee Eric Korenman and Committee Member Marianna Poutasse.
Carol Rabin and Lauren Spitz; Thomas and Diane Leavitt with Managing Director of the Berkshire Museum Board Bill Hines and Jen Hines.
Mike Huth and Trustee Mary Huth with Committee Member Mike Mazzeo; Keith and Judy Edwards.
Jonathan Feuer and Gala Chair Peter Gordon; Martha Piper and Reba Evenchik.
Milana Agaev, Elaine Sollar Eisen, and Khagai Agaev; Committee Members Stacy McCann and Allen Hamlin.
Sadie Peno and Katherine Oberwager; Mary Ellen Giffels with the night's auctioneer Marie Keep and husband Jonathan Keep.
Noah Elkin and Barbara Krauthamer; Committee Members Hannah and Mark Gross of Richmond.
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Matteline deVries-Dilling, founder of Lite Brite Neon, one of the evening's honoree of this year's Upstate Benefit adresses the gala from the Caboose's caboose.
- Karen Pearson. Courtesy Art Omi.
Olana senior vice president and landscape curatorMark Prezorski, president Sean Sawyer, The evenings honoree Kristin Gamble and New York State Assemblymember Didi Barrett.
- Oxygen House Photo
