The Woman's Board of the Art Institute of Chicago Edlis/Neeson Luncheon Raises $110K

On Wednesday, March 9th The Woman's Board of the Art Institute of Chicago hosted a sold-out lecture and luncheon to celebrate the newly acquired Edlis/Neeson Collection, which boasts 44 masterpieces by internationally acclaimed artists such as Lichtenstein, Twombly, Johns and Warhol among many others.

James Rondeau, the newly appointed President and Eloise W. Martin Director of the Art Institute of Chicago, hosted an intimate gallery walk before the lecture for the Premium Table ticket holders and then presented to the over 250 guests a thoughtful and fascinating look at the new collection. Following the lecture, event chair Nancy Santi and Woman's Board President Laura Werner, hosted a beautiful three-course luncheon in Terzo Piano.

The sold out event netted $110,000 to date, proceeds to support the Woman's Board education initiatives. Funds raised during the event will support the Woman's Board Museum Visit fund, which provides support to Chicagoland schools to send their students to the museum on field trips. Northern Trust generous matched dollars raised at the event up to $5,000; that effort ultimately netted $18,000 which will support 120 bus rides, or 6,720 student visits.

Featuring:

James Rondeau, President and Eloise W. Martin Director of the Art Institute of Chicago

Nancy Santi, Woman's Board member and event chair

Laura Werner, Woman's Board President

Illinois Tool Works, Lead Sponsor

The Northern Trust, Sponsor

The Woman's Board of The Art Institute of Chicago is comprised of dynamic, diverse civic leaders who advocate for the Institution and raise funds in support of the Museum's mission and art education. Begun in 1952, the Woman's Board has approximately 110 members, 65 of whom are Active Members. In 2015 the Woman's Board made its first official foray into the digital age by funding two projects: Family Pathways, debuting in the Ryan Learning Center in June 2016, will enable families to create self-guided, customized tours via a state-of-the-art digital console and Project Play, digital content to augment the museum's collection and exhibits which includes the Van Gogh Conversation video, currently on view in the blockbuster exhibition, Van Gogh's Bedrooms. For more, visit www.artic.edu.