At Home in the Garden

Benefiting Coral Gables Museum

The Coral Gables Museum fundraiser, At Home in the Garden, was graciously hosted by Adrienne Arsht at her historic home, Villa Serena. The event which benefitted the Museum also celebrated Ms. Arsht and the 100th anniversary of her home which was once the residence of William Jennings Bryan. With music provided by Shelly Berg and students from the UM School of Music, singers from Coral Gables High, a Grey Goose bar with signature cocktails, food by Susan Bleemer and a spectacular setting by the bay, the day was thoroughly enjoyed by all. The Museum’s Young Associates modeled vintage dresses provided by the Paquita Parodi Collection. Ms. Parodi donated a dress for a raffle won by the stylish Nancy Batchelor.

Ms. Arsht was joined by 250 guests including Senator and Mrs. Bob Graham, UM President Donna Shalala, Villa Serena restoration architect, Richard Heisenbottle, Trish and Dan Bell, Paul and Suwanee DiMare, Diane Sepler, C.L. Conroy, Jorge Plasencia, Leonard and Jayne Abess, Sergio Gonzalez and Patricia Andreu, Matt Haggman, Richard Milstein, Eric Hankin, Tom Bendt, Gene Sulzberger; Museum Board members Arva Moore Parks, Ajit Asrani, Ramona Busot, Cristina Mas, Lyan Fernandez, Albert Menendez, Doug Jolly, James Murphy, Chip Withers, Laura Russo, Venny Torre and Marie Vacca who also chaired the event. Also in attendance were Coral Gables Mayor James Cason and Commissioners Frank Quesada and Vince Lago.

At Home in the Garden sponsors included Totalbank, Bacardi, the University of Miami, The Admire Family, Maria Alicia and Ajit Asrani, Arthur Hertz, Chip and Cindy Withers and Steve Tanger.