Moondance Celebrates 90 Years
On Oct. 26, more than 500 guests attended the Heard Museum’s Moondance, chaired by Mary Ellen and Bob McKee. The couple led a fundraising effort that totaled $1.1 million to support exhibitions and programs. Patrons celebrated the kickoff of the Museum’s 90th anniversary, the induction of the Virginia G. Piper Charitable Trust Courtyard and the opening of the new original exhibition, David Hockney’s Yosemite and Masters of California Basketry. The evening’s honorees were longtime supporters Ellen and John Stiteler and artist Doug Hyde (Nez Perce/Assiniboine/Chippewa).
The activities began in the South Courtyard, the Heard Museum’s original entrance, with a photo opportunity in front of a 1929 Dodge Victory, manufactured the same year the Heard Museum opened. Guests continued to the Virginia G. Piper Charitable Trust Grand Gallery to see the new exhibition, which explores how Yosemite Valley has inspired art production across time and space. The exhibition pairs works by British artist David Hockney alongside spectacular example of early- to mid-20th century Mono Lake Paiute and Miwok baskets produced by artists such as Carrie Bethel, Tina Charlie and Lucy Telles. It is the first time Hockney’s work has been shown in Arizona. Entertainment in the Dennis H. Lyon Family Crossroads Gallery was provided by pianist Craig Bohmler (Cherokee).
The evening continued in the Virginia G. Piper Charitable Trust Courtyard with entertainment from guitarist Doug Mann and a silent auction featuring works by Jesse Monongya (Navajo/Hop), Allan Houser (Chiricahua Apache), Sonwai (Hopi) Roxanne Swentzel (Santa Clara Pueblo), and Les Namingha (Hopi/Zuni). As patrons continued to dinner, they enjoyed cultural performances from Grace Elias (Gila River Indian Community), Eva Bighorse (Diné), Ryon Polequaptewa (Hopi) and Derrick Davis (Hopi/Choctaw). Pre-recorded congratulatory messages were presented from Governor Doug Ducey and Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego. The evening concluded with dancing to the music of Nate Nathan and the Mac Daddy-O’s.
HAUTE EVENT PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY HEARD MUSEUM
Mary and Tom Hudak
Oscar Ortega, Sharron Lewis, John Melamed and Wick Pilcher
Javier Torres and Ginger Sykes Torres
Brody Stiteler, John Stiteler and Allison Stiteler
Erin and Jeff Goodman with Ellen Solowey
Marina and Robert Moric with Janis Lyon
Mary Ellen McKee, Ellen Stiteler, Laurie Stiteler and David Roche
Penny and Larry Gunning with Patti and Fred Lau
Nate Nathan and the MacDaddy-O’s
Jan and Howard Hendler
