Art of Illumination 11.10.12, the third annual fundraiser hosted by The Wolfsonian’s Visionaries group.  The evening takes place in Miami’s Design District at the historic Moore Building on November 10 from 9pm until 1am. The event, which coincides with the museum’s seventeenth anniversary, helps raise funds for us to keep doing what we do best: presenting, exploring, and celebrating design. “The evening will be a unique experience. It won’t be your typical museum fundraiser,” says Olga Granda-Scott, chair of the Visionaries host committee. Of course, the basics will be covered—there will be music, dancing, excellent food, and intriguing cocktails. And then there will be a whole lot more. 

“Everything will revolve around the idea of lighting,” explains Visionary host committee member Michelle Areces of Petit Pois, who is helping organize the event and is donating event planning services. The evening’s theme, that of illumination, is inspired by the museum’s upcoming digital technology project that will showcase images, text, and video on the building’s exterior, effectively creating a intriguing new exhibition space. Called The Art of Illumination: Illuminating the Arts, the project will increase the exposure of the collection exponentially by displaying it to passersby. Inspired by the notion of light as a theme, for the fundraiser the Visionaries approached ten of Miami’s top designers and architects and asked each to create a functional design piece that incorporates lighting. Those pieces will be on display and auctioned off during the evening. The designers participating in the Art of Illumination 2012 Challenge are: AECOM, Matthew Anders, Architectonica Interiors, Johanna Boccardo, Rene Gonzalez Architect, Lopez / Jaimes, Alexis Cogul Lleonart, NC-Office, Chad Oppenheim, and rGLOBE.

Other highlights include dance performances throughout the evening inspired by art, architecture, and the idea of illumination by Dance NOW! Miami as part of the contemporary dance company’s ongoing Ekphrasis Project, in which art is created from art. A pop-up shop will introduce the museum shop and its merchandise to the event’s guests—novelty items created for the event will be available for sale and will benefit the Visionaries. The design and construction of the pop-up shop is being donated by Bloom Interior Architecture.

The food will be a treat—several local restaurants and caterers are donating their signature dishes. As for drinks, the top shelf spirits are provided by Bacardi. So please join us in this celebration of The Wolfsonian and of design…mark your calendar, pass the word along to your friends, and purchase your tickets! Tickets are $150 per person and can be obtained online here. For more information or to purchase tickets over the phone, call 305.535.2626 or e-mail Kelsey@thewolf.fiu.edu.