AROUND TOWN

Exhibits of historic proportions open in Toledo

A BOTTLE with a note inside floated into my mail box. It was the invitation to the VIP reception on Feb. 13 for Titanic: The Artifact Exhibition at Imagination Station science museum in downtown Toledo with sponsors including BP, The Blade, and WTVG-TV, Channel 13.

Jack Libbey and Susan Maxwell during the Masquerade Garden Party.

The event offered a sneak peek of the exhibit as we stepped back in time to April, 1912, receiving our replica boarding passes aboard the White Star Line. My pass was that of an extremely wealthy woman who was coming to the end of a two-year honeymoon with her husband. At the last minute the Spanish couple decided to extend their honeymoon and go on the transatlantic cruise, fooling their families with pre-written postcards sent by their servant, who remained behind. Checking the list of survivors and those lost, I was relieved to find out that my "husband" and I survived.

Tom and Kelly Sheehan during the Masquerade Garden Party.

The experience was chilling as I learned about life on board the R.M.S. Titanic, from first class to third class accommodations, the ship, and the sinking. The iceberg replica that made one shiver definitely gave an idea of how cold it must have been in the icy waters.

Guillaume Fonkenell (curator, Muse du Louvre), Genevieve Bresc (curator, Muse du Louvre), Ginger Knudsen of the Country Garden Club Toledo museum director Brian Kennedy.

The exhibit, owned by Premier Exhibitions of Atlanta, runs through June 15 and includes a gift shop of Titanic books, maps, and replicas of the newspaper stories of the tragic sinking.

Left to right Susan Braun dressed as Molly Brown and Mary Arquette during the Titanic Exhibit preview reception.

Also on exhibit is period clothing in a case by Maumee Valley Historical Society.

Left to right Aaron Lewandowski along with his his parents Elaine Lewandowski and Brad Lewandowski during the Titanic Exhibit.

Among those at the party were Imagination Station Board Chairman Dave Waterman, State Sen. Edna Brown, and Toledo Mayor Mike Collins, plus Bruce Rumpf, Keith Burwell, Brent and Pam Cousino, Amy and Dermot Forde, Linda and Jerry Moss, Carla and Jeff Nowak, Phil and Mary Lou Rudolph, Jr., David and Cindy Taylor, Peter Ujvagi, Laurie and John Thornton, Dan and Jasmine Wakeman.

Left to right Tony Vetter, Gretchen Mikolajczak, and Richard Nachazel during the Titanic Exhibit preview reception.

A SPONSORS' dinner Feb. 13 gave guests an early view of the Art of the Louvre's Tuileries Garden exhibit at the Toledo Museum of Art. The exhibit, open through May 11, made viewers feel as if they were in Paris in the courtyard of the Louvre with towering sculptures.

The dinner in the Cloister was absolutely delish. Brian Kennedy, museum director, welcomed everyone.

The exhibition is organized by the High Museum of Art, Atlanta, the Portland Art Museum, Oregon, and the Toledo Museum of Art with special collaboration of the Musee du Louvre. The exhibition is sponsored locally by The Andersons, Brooks Insurance, and Taylor Cadillac.

I had the privilege of sitting next to Dick Putney, the Toledo museum's curator for the show who worked with the Louvre staff and curators in Atlanta and Portland. He said it took a huge team, united by art, to make it all happen. He and his wife Carolyn, who were married in Paris, celebrated their 25th wedding anniversary last month in Paris.

Among the crowd were Kathy and George Jones, Tom and Betsy Brady, Sara Jane and Bill DeHoff, Cindy and Chuck Dana, John and Yolanda Szuch, Margy Trumbull, Ben and Peggy Brown, Dick and Julie Van Heyst, Harley and Stacey Kripke, and Billie Johnson.

Feb. 15 was a major donor reception followed by a Masquerade Garden Party, "The Art of the Louvre's Tuilerie's Garden Ball," for members and their guests. Music, dancing, food, and mask-making were all part of the fun that enticed many young professionals to attend. A costume contest in the Great Gallery added the final touch, but of course, the exhibit was the show stopper.

Contact Blade Society Writer Barbara Hendel at 419-724-6124 or at bhendel@theblade.com