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On Saturday, Oct. 27, 2018 guests enjoyed the Annual Moondance gala at the Heard Museum and marveled at the museum’s new original exhibition, Yua: Henri Matisse and the Inner Arctic Spirit (on view at the museum Oct. 29, 2018- February 3, 2019). For the first time, the Heard Museum paired its annual fundraising soiree with the opening party of its major exhibition, hosting guests from around the world for this memorable evening. Co-chaired by Heard Museum trustee Janis Lyon and life trustee Carol Ann Mackay, the gala included a romantic entrance through the Heard’s historic South Courtyard where guests were greeted with champagne and passed hors-d'oeuvres. Gala patrons were the first to enjoy an exclusive preview of the exhibition, which features works by Henri Matisse that have never before been exhibited in public as well as groupings of Yup’ik (Native Alaskan) masks, some of which are returning to the continent after more than a century in museums and private collections abroad. Following the cocktail party, guests enjoyed a performance by the Nunamta Yup’ik Singers and Dancers dressed in traditional fur-lined clothing and parkas. A French-themed dinner by Arizona Taste included a first course of prime tenderloin, Chilean Seabass, hericots verts, pomme lyonnaise; a second course of vichyssoise, brie, and a bed of greens and apples, and finally dark chocolate pot de crème. A video program highlighted gala honorees Verma Nequatewa / Sonwai, a Hopi lapidary artist, and Howard R. and Joy M. Berlin, who each received a bronze mockette of the iconic Heard sculpture by Doug Hyde called “Inter-tribal Greeting”. All guests received handmade notecards in silver and white boxes by artist Ramona Sakiestewa. The Heard Museum raised more than $750,000, which will support exhibitions, programs, and museum activities for the coming year.
