Rated ART Re-Cap
After a night of discovery and invention, Arlington Arts Center (AAC) raised more than $20,000 in ticket sales for its 2015 spring fundraiser Rated ART.
It took a village, a city, and a group of dedicated artists and hosts to make this event a success! Arlington and DC eateries were called in to bring the muscle, and they eagerly took on the challenge of creating a dish and a drink inspired the artwork of the Resident Artists of AAC.
Along with food and drink, gala-goers also got to enjoy the games of artist Scott Pennington on the Lower Level. If you want to play some of his games, come back this summer! Scott is slated to be in the upcoming exhibition PLAY, opening July 11.
On the back patio, gala guests were invited to participate in a special performance art event by Heloisa Escudero, who was part of our 2014 Fall SOLOS exhibition where she exhibited her BackPack Galleries.
Up front, in AAC’s Chairmen’s Gallery guests were welcome to ROFL (Roll on the Floor Laughing) in Paul Shortt‘s exhibition in the 2015 Spring SOLOS (which is on view until June 28).
Throughout the evening, guests were encouraged to vote on their favorite Rated ART Bite and Cocktail. Additionally, special guest judges Pati Jinich of Pati’s Mexican Table and Michael McCarthy, editor-in-chief of DC magazine deliberated on the Judge’s Choice Awards.
There was also a Most Artistic Bite award, which went to the team at Mussel Bar & Grille – Arlington, for the Duo of Tuna and Salmon Tartar inspired by AAC Resident Artist Hedieh Javanshir Ilchi’s work, Sublime Rupture, and invented and served, by Chef de Cuisine Erik Foxx-Nettin.
PinStripes-Georgetown earned Judge’s Choice for Best Cocktail for The Old Matterhorn, a re-invention of the Manhattan, inspired by AAC Resident Artist Becca Kallem’s work Can’t Stop. Additionally, Judge’s Choice for Best Bite went to Tazza Kitchen – Arlington Ridge for their Sourdough Crostini with ramp top pesto, pickled ramp bulbs, wood oven braised pork butt, house adobo sauce & crema, inspired by AAC Resident Artist Pam Rogers’ work ‘Bound at Birth.’
Not surprisingly, Tazza Kitchen also took home the Voter’s Choice award for Best Bite, as well. Finally, the Voter’s Choice for Best Cocktail went to Bayou Bakery for their drink Calm Before the Storm inspired by AAC Resident Artist Alice Whealin’s artwork, Dream Vacation. Bayou announced last week on social media that the beverage, a strawberry jalapeño hurricane w/passion fruit foam, will now be added to their cocktail menu.
