Heard Museum Celebrates ‘Once in a Blue Moon’ Campaign
On Oct. 31, more than 90 guests gathered virtually to celebrate the successful conclusion of the Heard Museum’s Once in a Blue Moon campaign. The event took the place of the Museum’s traditional Moondance fundraising gala.
Online guests enjoyed Southwest favorites in Heard-themed gift boxes delivered prior to the event, watched the blue moon rise and were the first to see the newly dedicated Blue Moon Garden located at the Museum’s northern entrance.
The evening’s honorees were U.S. Poet Laureate Joy Harjo (Mvskoke) and longtime Museum supporter and volunteer Betty Van Denburgh. Acclaimed artist Steven Yazzie (Navajo/Laguna Pueblo/European) produced videos celebrating each honoree. The videos premiered at the event and are available on the Heard’s YouTube channel.
Entertainment was provided by Gabriel Ayala (Yaqui), and guests were also treated to a recitation of “the Life of Beauty” by Harjo. Sonwai (Hopi), Michael Sockyma (Hopi), Fritz Scholderr (Luiseño) and others provided items for the silent auction.
Janet and John Melamed led the Once in a Blue Moon campaign committee, which raised a record-setting $890,053 for operating support to sustain the Heard Museum through its temporary closure and safe reopening.
PHOTOS/SCREENSHOTS COURTESY HEARD MUSEUM
John and Janet Melamed, committee chairs
Gabriel Ayala (Yaqui)
Wick Pilcher, board chair, Heard Museum
