March 27th, 2012 
The Board of Trustees and the Women’s Committee of the Corcoran Gallery of Art and College of Art + Design present the 57th Annual Corcoran Ball on Friday, April 20, 2012. Guests will enjoy a festive and elegant evening to benefit the Corcoran and its award-winning outreach, educational, and scholarship programs. This year, guests will join Honorary Patron His Excellency to the United States François Delattre Ambassador of France and Madame Delattre, as well as Honorary Chair and internationally acclaimed artist Sam Gilliam, a past Corcoran College of Art + Design faculty member and tireless advocate for arts education in Washington, D.C., and beyond.
“I am deeply honored to have the support and patronage of both His Excellency Francois Delattre, Ambassador of France and of renowned artist Sam Gilliam this year at the 57th Annual Corcoran Ball,” said Deborah de Gorter, 2012 Corcoran Ball Chair. “These high profile individuals recognize and applaud the continuation of the Corcoran’s commitment to outreach programs in the community, the need for education in the arts, and the enrichment of the art experience in the galleries. I am most grateful to Ambassador Delattre and Mr. Gilliam for lending their support and encouragement to make this ball a tremendous success.”
A highlight in Washington’s spring social calendar, the black-tie benefit features uniquely decorated formal dining rooms within the Corcoran’s historic galleries, among priceless works of art. Chaired by Women’s Committee member Deborah de Gorter, the evening begins with cocktails at 7 p.m., followed by a lavish, three-course seated dinner at 8:15 p.m. Jack Lucky Floral Designs will oversee the decor; the nation’s first Certified Green Restaurant™ Caterer, Occasions Catering, will present dinner. Dancing to the music of Phil McCusker & Orchestra and Radio King Orchestra will follow.
Artist and Honorary Patron, Sam Gilliam (Photo Credit: louisville.edu)
After dinner, Ball guests are invited to enter Club Corcoran for after-hours libations and dancing from 10 p.m. to 1 a.m. For those looking for a late-night only party experience, tickets to the post-dining Club Corcoran are available at a reduced cost; tickets cost $95 for individuals and $150 for couples and include a free summer membership to the Corcoran. After-hours guests will enjoy the beauty and grandeur of the event with refreshments and dancing throughout the Gallery.
Each year, the Women’s Committee of the Corcoran which is chaired by Mrs. Steven W. Smith is involved intimately in both the design and set-up of up to 15 exquisitely decorated rooms at the Corcoran. More than 150 volunteers log 700+ hours of work to ensure the success of the event.
Proceeds from the 57th annual Corcoran Ball benefit the Corcoran Gallery of Art and Corcoran College of Art + Design, funding institutional programs and activities, including special exhibitions, scholarships for students, restoration projects, art acquisitions, educational outreach, and technology advancement.
WHEN:Friday, April 20, 2012 Cocktails at 7 p.m.
Honorary Patron His Excellency to the United States François Delattre Ambassador of France
Dinner at 8:15 p.m.
WHERE: Corcoran Gallery of Art
500 17th Street, NW
Washington, DC 20006
Ph. 202-639-1700
TICKETS:
Individual tickets begin at $500. For ticket information, please contact Libby Helfer at the Corcoran Ball Office at (301) 951-3780. Further information can be found at http://www.corcoran.org/ball.
ABOUT THE EXHIBITION
NEXT at the Corcoran
April 14–May 20, 2012
The Corcoran Gallery of Art and College of Art + Design presents NEXT at the Corcoran, a dynamic, interactive, and innovative presentation of work by the graduating students of the Corcoran College of Art + Design. NEXT, for the first time, includes both an exhibition of the thesis work of the Bachelor of Fine Arts class of 2012 and a showcase of the Masters of Arts degree programs at the Corcoran.
Visitors to NEXT have the unique opportunity to observe thesis critiques—discussions between the artists and their peers and instructors—and gain insights into the artists’ intentions. Complementing the Corcoran’s contemporary program NOW at the Corcoran, NEXT at the Corcoran celebrates the accomplishments of the graduating seniors and confirms the Corcoran’s commitment to showcasing emerging artists. For more than 120 years, the Corcoran has educated and trained students—the next generation of America’s artists—while displaying the most important works of the time.
ABOUT THE CORCORAN
The Corcoran Gallery of Art, a privately funded institution, was founded in 1869. It was America’s first dedicated art museum and today is Washington’s largest nonfederal museum of art. It is known internationally for its distinguished collection of historical and modern American art as well as contemporary art, photography, European painting, sculpture, and the decorative arts. In addition, a dynamic schedule of special exhibitions is complemented and enhanced by a range of educational programming, which together seek to enrich perspectives, support the local arts community, and encourage interpretation. The Corcoran College of Art + Design was founded in 1890 and stands as Washington’s only four-year college of art and design, offering BFA degrees in Digital Media Design, Fine Art, Fine Art Photography, Graphic Design, Interior Design, and Photojournalism; a BA in Art Studies; a five-year Bachelor of Fine Arts/Master of Arts in Teaching (BFA/MAT); an AFA in Digital Media Design, Fine Art, Graphic Design, and Photography; and MA degrees in Art and the Book, Art Education, Exhibition Design, Interior Design, Master of Arts in Teaching, and New Media Photojournalism. The College’s Continuing Education program offers part-time credit and non-credit classes for children and adults and draws more than 2,500 participants each year. For more information about the Corcoran Gallery of Art and College of Art + Design, visit .
