Party draws artists as well as art lovers

By LENNIE BENNETT

© St. Petersburg Times, published May 10, 2000

Not one to put stock in talismans or lucky numbers, I smiled when Sean Manning said to me Friday evening at the Arts Center's On and Off the Wall party: "You're 57. I wanted that number. I'm 58."

He was referring to my bid number at the auction, which he said was a lucky number for him "because I've always wanted a '57 Chevy Bel-Air."

Scott Wagman, standing nearby, said, when I asked why the car was special, "If you don't know now, you never will."

So I moved along to something I do know about -- schmoozing -- and visited with Dr. Marvin and Joyce Jaffee, Ken and Betsy Orbe Lester, Ira and Beverly Mitlin, Louise Weaver and Bud and Enez Hart, all of whom donated work from their collections for the auction.

"Is it hard to let go of something you've had for a long time?" I asked the Harts.

"Oh no," said Mrs. Hart. "It's easy. It gives you the chance to buy something new."

And that was true of this auction, which had a variety of work starting in low price ranges that made buying something new a possibility even for low-ballers like me.

Arts Center executive director Evelyn Craft circulated through the galleries greeting guests, most of whom were casually dressed, such as Donna Fletcher, Rob Giordano and Linda Gialanella, Angela Bond, Douglas and Barbara DeMaire, Gail Phares, Ambiance Galleries owners Mona Pain and Suzanne Williams, Al Karnavicius, Stan Cowen, and Robb and Susan Hough. Exceptions were Stan and Iris Salzer and Bill and Kathy Stover, who came dressed up, the men formally attired in tuxedos.

"I've got a job waiting tables later," joked Salzer when, in fact, both couples were on their way to the reception at the Museum of Fine Arts honoring upper-category members.

Designer Brian Reale recently returned from two weeks in Tunisia, where he participated in seminars on art and architecture.

"It was a very difficult trip," he said, "but the Bedouin and ancient Roman cultures are fascinating." Easier will be a trip soon to New York City "for business and the theater," he said.

Dorothy Webb and Cliff Page (yes, their e-mail address is webbpage.com) sealed a deal that day, along with business partner and architect Tim Clemmons, to purchase the St. Pete Inn at Second Street and Fifth Avenue N.

"Unfortunately, it's just not salvageable," Webb said, so they plan to demolish it and build 16 two-bedroom, two-bath townhomes in the $150,000 price range, "with the same hip style Tim is using for Straub Court," another joint project of townhomes that she expects to break ground on in August.

Nice to see were a younger generation of potential donors and collectors: Billy Harvard, 21, who came with parents Bill and Kally Harvard; Stephen Cox, 15, with David and Lynn Cox; Melissa Wagman, 7, with Scott Wagman and Beth Houghton; and Alesandra Castagliola, 16, with Paul and Maria Castagliola.

But back to the number 57. I affixed it to a painting of ripe pears by the late Robert Hodgell, donated by Eric Peterson, with a very low bid and little hope of acquiring it. I had to leave early, so Peterson promised to keep an eye on it for me. Sean Manning must be on to something because later that night, Peterson called to say, "The painting is yours."

I do not know how Manning did with his bid number of 58, but I do know he had a nice evening. Both he and his wife are clay artists, and Beth Morean-Manning told me as they left for dinner that they were celebrating their 10th wedding anniversary and she had made his gift. Ten is tin, she said, so she didn't make him a pot or clay sculpture. "I made him a tin oxide glaze," Mrs. Manning said.

Isn't it romantic?

All Children's Hospital Guild Beach Branch recently honored Connie Davis with the Angel of the Year Award for her volunteer contributions to the hospital since she joined the guild in 1987. Mrs. Davis is also a member of the Gulf Beach Women's Club and Abilities Guild of Pinellas County. New Beach Branch officers are: president, Mary Young; vice president, Asa Myers; recording secretary, Claudia Roberts; corresponding secretary, Jean Wendel and treasurer, Stella Lopez.

LOOKING AHEAD Sunday

Mother's Day Luncheon and Concert: Sponsored by the Florida Lyric Opera, the post-luncheon performance is hosted by Mary K. Wilson and features local singers, dancers and instrumentalists. Luncheon, with prime rib, at 1:30 p.m. Performance at 3 p.m. $18. Performance only, $8. Palladium Theater, 253 Fifth Ave. N. 578-1657.

May 24

Pinellas County Education Foundation Annual Dinner: Outstanding students are recognized and business and community partners are thanked by the foundation, which provides scholarships and mentoring to hundreds of school children each year. $125. Ruth Eckerd Hall, 1111 McMullen Booth Road, Clearwater. 6:30 p.m. 588-4816.

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