I Went To A Garden Party

Fred Stonehouse has been around town long enough to have gained quite a bit of fame, both local and national. In fact, Madonna, a taste-maker if there ever was one, owns his quirky paintings, and wow, Sheryl Crowe snapped up his entire exhibit at the recent Jazz Festival in the Big Easy. Stoney has a full time teaching position at the UW in Madison, so I was impressed to see his name on the list of artists contributing to a treasure of auction items at the August 2 “Way Beyond the Sea” event in the Mount Mary College Alumnae Dining Room. The last time I was at the college was for a memorial event for a former Mount Mary art teacher and good friend of mine, Karen Olson. Cancer claimed her in the spring just when things were beginning to bloom. I thought about life beyond as I stood under a budding tree on the campus, missing my friend.

In 2006, Fred Stonehouse donated a gyclee print to the garden party and will contribute another for the coming soirée. The opening bids hover around $50-$100, and auction items may rise from $200 to $1,400, though the average is around $300-$400. A catalog of auction items, with photographs by Jim Moy, will be available.

The fundraiser benefits The Grace Foundation and in fact, has another tag….”Kathy’s Garden Party,” named so, to honor Kathleen Chenoweth Corby, who died of cancer a decade ago. WISN-12 News co-anchor, Kathy Mykleby, will host the event which goes “way beyond” what you’d expect from a less exciting fundraiser. For example, guests will be treated to a runway show with models showcasing unique pieces of art contributed by 35 artists, including Todd Graveline, Chris Poehlmann and Joy Harmon. Choreographed lights, movement, special effects (plus food and drink), will put a spin on what death can’t erase, which is to say, it will be lively, lovely, and loving. If you want to be a part of remembering and renewing, visit www.givinggrace.org (The Grace Foundation was founded in 2002), or call Rose Deutsch at 414-771-1578.

Mount Mary itself is a work of art set on broad expansive lawns studded with trees. Parking is a snap and August is perfect for a garden party. When I visit the campus, I usually take Wisconsin Avenue due west for a meander down the beautiful tree lined streets of Wauwatosa. A swing north and I’m at 2900 N. Menomonee River Parkway.

North Avenue is almost a straight-line route, and yes, the expressway is even speedier, but time is on your side whichever path you choose. If mosquitoes are on your mind, never fear, they’ll be humming around outside of the building’s dining hall. You’ll be inside considering what you’d like to purchase.