The University of Louisiana at Lafayette College of the Arts will be joining arts organizations around the country in the tradition of the Beaux Arts Ball tonight, Oct. 21, with the theme: Renew, Revision & Recycle. The University of Louisiana at Lafayette College of the Arts will be joining arts organizations around the country in the tradition of the Beaux Arts Ball tonight, Oct. 21, with the theme: Renew, Revision & Recycle.
The United States began their version of Beaux Arts (derived from a Parisian equivalent) in 1931 when New York architects attended the ball dressed as buildings they had designed. Whether Lafayette architects will be dressing as their creations is uncertain, but Gordon Brooks, dean of the College of Arts, says at least one group will each go as a painting to the masquerade/black tie ball.
The college is using the event as part fundraiser for their SPARK fund and part kick-off party for the year ahead with Beausoleil avec Michael Doucet in their residency with the university.
SPARK funds scholarships and travel for students. Brooks says they won't be sure how much they will have actually raised from the 200 guests who bought tables until they see what total costs are following the ball, but he anticipates $3,000 to $4,000 from the event.
The ball will also serve as an introduction for the first Tommy Comeaux Endowed Chair of Traditional Music, Mark DeWitt, Ph.D. DeWitt will announce the other events planned for this year to celebrate Beausoleil and its work, which will lead up to the Festival of the Arts in March when the artists-in-residence will receive the SPARK Lifetime Achievement Award.
Overall, Brooks says he wanted to do something where everyone could just have a good time as opposed to, say, just another art auction.
This should be the first of a legacy of Beaux Arts Balls in Lafayette and Brooks says he hopes to continue growing the event.