The New York Botanical Garden (NYBG) held its annual Conservatory Ball last Thursday, as always one of the most beautiful and lively parties of the year. A tall white rabbit stood guard at the entrance to the 250-acre park as more than 500 black-tie-clad guests filed past Wonderland: Curious Nature, a botanical experience inspired by the Alice in Wonderland books. The evening honored William D. and Fleur Rueckert and the Cleveland H. Dodge Foundation, and raised nearly $2 million in support of the Botanic Garden's botanical research, horticulture and early childhood education programs.
Holly Lowen
“My family has been involved with NYBG for several generations,” said Vice President Holly Lowen. “My grandmother was the first. Although they lived in Washington, DC, they realized the importance of green spaces in the city. We come here with our children; we believe it is important to involve the next generation. We took them to the train show, we took them for Easter. They run barefoot here, they don't get that in the city. The science and education programs, and the beauty of the garden, as we can see tonight, are spectacular.”
The evening was truly beautiful. After heavy storms earlier in the day, the clouds cleared and the sun made the garden even more attractive. During cocktails, guests meandered through the ever-popular topiary garden. At the end of the path were the Shrumen Lumen, kinetic mushroom sculptures by FoldHaus Art Collective that dazzled audiences at Burning Man festival and around the world, randomly changing size: a nod to Alice and down the rabbit hole (or maybe one too). many cocktails).
Shrumen Lumen
“I love the Botanical Garden,” said Vice President Gillian Miniter. “It's a beautiful green space for people to come and enjoy the grass, the trees and the exhibits. Many people don't have access to backyards, and this is their backyard. It's one of New York's treasures.”
The other obvious treasures were the exquisite DeBeers parures carried by the Presidents and Vice-Presidents. DeBeers Jewelers sponsored the evening, along with Oscar de la Renta, The Bancorp LLC, BartleX Tree Experts and Hearst.
“Since diamonds are one of nature's most precious gifts, conservation is a pillar close to our hearts,” said Caleb Bonvell, CEO of De Beers Jewelers, North America. “De Beers and the Garden share a deep dedication to protecting and conserving the beauty and wonder of the natural world, making our support of the Conservatory Ball organic.”
Jennifer Creel, Marcia Mishaan, Muffie Potter Aston, Ashley McDermott, Ann Byers
The dinner marquee was decked out in floral motifs as Jennifer Creel, George Farias, Marcia and Richard Mishaan and Muffie Potter Aston chatted with their host, Ashley McDermott, in a floral Dennis Basso gown and loads of diamonds and sapphires DeBeers florals. The next generation was there, too: Serena McDermott and her sister Audrey, with her fiance, Clay, held court at one of the many tables in their twenties and thirties.
“The New York Botanical Garden is a gift to New York City,” said Ashley McDermott. “It's the backyard for many families, and we're all lucky to have access to it four seasons of the year.”
Peter Som, Isolde Brielmaier, Marcus Teo, Jessel Taank
Peter Som looked dapper, ready for the launch of his cookbook in a few months. Tina Leung, Sai De Silva, Sophie Sumner and Marcus Teo added more glamor to an evening of high fashion. The speeches were thankfully short, as was the explanatory video.
“It is an honor for us to continue the tradition that my great-grandfather Cleveland H. Dodge set in motion,” said honoree William D. Rueckert. “He had the vision in 1917 to create the Cleveland H. Dodge Foundation to promote the welfare of all people by supporting the educational, community and cultural institutions of New York City. The New York Botanical Garden was a place special to him, and to our family, we believe that transformative educational programs like those offered by the Garden will increase opportunities for underserved youth and positively impact their communities.”
Jessel Tank, Sai De Silva, Lizzi Bickford
“Since the founding of the New York Botanical Garden, the Dodge family, and later the Foundation, have played a pivotal role in fostering hands-on learning experiences for generations,” said Jennifer Bernstein, CEO of the Garden New York Botanist. The generosity has transformed the Garden into a beacon of educational excellence, enabling the redevelopment of The Everett Children's Adventure Garden and providing great support for NYBG's Edible Academy and far, far beyond. “
The DJ got everyone on the dance floor, with dessert placed on the table for one last sustenance. Some guests stayed late into the night, taking one last look at those ever-changing mushrooms and saying goodbye to a favorite philanthropic summer start.
