BY JUDY CARMACK BROSS
Over 500 of the city’s most canny contributors and soignée shoppers mingled Opening Night at the Chicago Show: Antiques & Art & Modern at the Merchandise Mart recently, previewing and purchasing at brimming booths prior to its public opening.
Woman’s Board President Holly Cortes with co-chairs Beth Hughes, Keevie Silvay, Suzette Bulley and Master of Celebrations Bronson van Wyck.
Presented by Hindman, the kickoff event was hosted by the Woman’s Board of Northwestern Memorial Hospital. Honorary Chair Alessandra Branca, Master of Celebrations Bronson van Wyck, and Chair Suzette Bulley—joined by co-chairs Keevie Silvay, Beth Hughes, and Heather Webster, and Woman’s Board President Holly Cortes—welcomed guests entering through billowing panels illuminated in green, blue, purple, and yellow.
A highlight of the evening was the opportunity to mix and mingle with van Wyck, the internationally recognized party planner and author of Born to Party, Forced to Work, who consulted on the event’s design and was featured in a discussion with Alessandra Branca at a sold-out luncheon the following day.
Tyler Neal Arnfelt enjoys a laugh in the Casa Branca space.
Master of Celebrations Bronson van Wyck and Honorary Chair Alessandra Branca.
New this year was the opportunity for VIP ticket holders to “shop the show” alongside Branca in the hours leading up to the opening night party. Throughout the electric event, guests enjoyed Limelight hors d’oeuvres and numerous bars, including a Broken Shed oasis.
Lisa Bailey and Margaret Unetich.
Jenny McKinney, Lauren Peters, Chrissy Davis and Amy Davidson.
At 8 p.m., the event transformed into the Young Collectors After Party, chaired by Tyler Neal Arnfelt, Emily Sturgess, and Lucia Steinwold, with DJ-spun beats and dancing for all.
Lucia Steinwold and Juliana Ennes.
Sturgess explains the potential of this new facet of Opening Night:“Inviting young collector’s to take part in this year’s Chicago Show was a tremendous success. We saw a great deal of interest from young art enthusiasts and aspiring philanthropists all looking to get involved with an important cause and to learn more about the work the Woman’s Board does.”
“After the Show took a few years off and due to recent world events, this was the first time many Young Collectors had attended an art and design show of this scale,” she adds. “I believe there was great excitement from this group, and we’re looking forward to them being a part of the Show in the years to come.”
Brett and Margaret Nelson with Paige Spearin.
John Krehbiel, Charles and Joan Moore, Ellenor Alcorn, and Karen Gray-Krehbiel.
Woman’s Board President Holly Cortes.
Cathy Busch with co-chairs Suzette Bulley, Beth Hughes, and Heather Webster.
The Chicago Show, produced by Dolphin Promotions, the same company behind the Palm Springs Modernism Show and the Houston Antiques + Art + Design Show, brought together 50 premier national and international dealers of fine antique furniture, jewelry, paintings, silver, and decorative and fine arts—ancient to 20th century—from the U.S., Asia, Africa, Europe, and South America for the 2022 show.
Lindsay Carlton and Sri Sullivan.
Jeanette Sublett, Mary Swift, and Langdon Neal.
Beth Hughes, Stuart Dyer, and Catherine Brink.
Maureen Bennett, Kathleen Brill, and Melissa and Adam Filkin.
Eve Rogers with Marc and Jamie Pasquale.
Northern Trust’s David Blowers, Suzette Bulley and Hindman’s Alyssa Quinlan
Joan Moore,Holly Cortes, Beth Hughes, Keevie Silvay, Suzette Bulley, Tyler Arnet, Emily Sturgess and Shari Kvam
For more information, contact The Woman’s Board office at 312-926-9138 or visit wbnorthwestern.org.
Photo credit: Robin Subar Photography
