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1000 PEOPLE WERE AT THE PARTY

Chris and Allison Benge were at the Oklahoma Speaker’s Ball at the Cox Center. Chris Benge is Oklahoma House Speaker. ( Photo by Bryan Terry).

Oklahoma House Speaker Chris Benge and his wife, Allison Benge, were hosts for the Oklahoma Speaker’s Ball at the Cox Center.The Oklahoma Summer Arts Institute at Quartz Mountain was the beneficiary of the evening’s proceeds. 1000 people attended the party.

The ballroom featured tall dramatic centerpieces of ivory and green flowers, crystals and candles. The stage was draped in white fabric and lighted with a star pattern.Host Senator Benge; Master of Ceremonies Joe Kelley, and Vice Chairman, Oklahoma Speaker’s Ball, Mark Liotta were on the program.

Rep. Don Armes was auctioneer for the Oklahoma Arts Institute live art auction. OAI Board Chairman Mike Joseph and Executive Director Julie Cohen were auction hosts.

Among the artwork up for auction were those donated by the Benges, Gov. Brad Henry and his wife, Kim; Senate Pro Tempore Glenn Coffee and his wife, Lisa; OU President David Boren and his wife, Molly, and OSU President Burns Hargis, as well as from art students from OSAI.
Allison and Chris Benge had the first dance to “Remember When.”  NashVegas All Stars was the band.

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MASTER OF THE AQUATINT EXHIBIT

Ann Hargis, Calvin Anthony, Burns Hargis and Melinda Johnson were at the party where a collection of Doel Reed’s works were shown.(Photos by Helen Ford Wallace).

A collection of the late Doel Reed’s works in the exhibit “The Life and Legacy of Doel Reed: Master of the Aquatint” was shown at the opening reception at the Gaylord-Pickens Oklahoma Heritage Museum.

Ann and Burns Hargis and Melinda and Glen Johnson were hosts. It was for donors and friends of the Oklahoma State University Doel Reed Center in Taos, New Mexico.

A collection of Reed’s work,  his students’ work,  and an interactive display about his art process will be showcased at the OHM until June 30th.

Committee members for the reception were Bob Allee, Karlee Chill, Donna Hopper, Karen Kirkpatrick, Sallie McCorkle, Rita Moore, Shannon L. Nance, Romy Owens, Lela and Mark Sullivan and Jim Vallion. Other guests included Ken Ferguson, Barbara and Ben Harjo, Malinda and Dick Fischer, James Pickel, Meg Salyer, Warren Edwards, Anita and Jack Dahlgren, Nancy and John Cheek, Annie Bohanon, Ed Barth, Mary and Jerry Burson, Debra Engle, David Bennett, Linda and Jim Burke, Bruce Crauder and Jeanette and Kent Young.

Jim Vallion and Lela Sullivan were at the Gaylord-Pickens Oklahoma Heritage Museum for the exhibit opening of  “The Life and Legacy of Doel Reed: Master of the Aquatint.” They were on the committee that planned the event.

Warren Edwards and Rita Moore talk at the party.