On December 11, over 375 guests gathered for Collectors’ Choice 34, the premier black-tie gala for the Denver Art Museum. This year’s Collectors’ Choice honored Cathey McClain Finlon for four decades of outstanding leadership and dedicated service to the museum.
One of Denver’s most visionary thinkers, Cathey has brought great insight to the Denver Art Museum Board of Trustees for the past 20 years. Cathey’s relationship with the museum started when she served as its first development director in 1974. She then proceeded to build one of the top 50 advertising agencies in the country and returned as the museum’s president from 2009 to 2013. With a brilliant mind for business and an energetic passion for art, Cathey’s long-standing commitment has elevated the Denver Art Museum to new heights, and we are thrilled to honor her.
Inspiration for the event came from DAM’s current exhibition Brilliant: Cartier in the 20th Century as well as Cathey Finlon’s impeccable style. With each Collectors’ Choice, we start the planning process by creating a mood board. Below you’ll see that we were inspired by elegant simplicity, diamonds, ethereal white fabrics, and high fashion.
Once we’ve created the mood board and a theme for the event, we meet with Design Works by Dave and Mike, Denver’s top event service company. Design Works miraculously translates our ideas into reality! We have been working with them for the past eight Collectors’ Choices and their creativity never ceases to amaze us. Take a look below at some photos from this year’s Collectors’ Choice.
More than 375 guests enjoyed cocktails and hors d’oeuvres in the Frederic C. Hamilton Building’s El Pomar Atrium.
A surprise modern dance performance from the Colorado Ballet Academy.
The dancers expertly graced the main staircase in the atrium.
The dancers led guests across Reiman Bridge to the North Building’s Ponti Hall where the three-course dinner was served.
Design Works beautifully transformed Ponti Hall using monochromatic white floral arrangements, hints of silver in the linens and table décor, and green hedges along the perimeter of the space. Elegant chandeliers and white chiffon panels hung from the ceiling.
Director Christoph Heinrich emceed the evening.
Governor John Hickenlooper, honorary chair of the evening, thanked Cathey for her dedication to nonprofit causes throughout Colorado.
Event co-chairs for the evening included Fred and Jane Hamilton and Ann and Kevin Reidy, pictured above.
Honoree Cathey Finlon wearing a gorgeous Jenny Packham dress.
Another surprise of the evening was a performance by Denver's Grammy-winning jazz vocalist Dianne Reeves. She sang Social Call, Tango, and Just My Imagination.
Collectors’ Choice raised more than $630,000 with proceeds going toward Brilliant: Cartier in the 20th Century on view until March 15, 2015. For more photos from Collectors’ Choice 34, visit here.
Photos by Custom Creations Photography.
