The 3rd annual Greening of the Gables Gala was held on January 30th, 2009 at the Biltmore Hotel in Coral Gables, Florida. Growing up and living in Coral Gables I was more than happy to oblige when I was asked to donate one of my limited edition "Fine Bahamian Landscapes" as part of their silent auction, to raise money for a very worthwhile cause. I was in very good company, as the long list included donors; Bacardi USA, Inc., Fairchild Tropical Botanic Gardens, Romero Britto, The City of Coral Gables, Miami Art Museum, Ocean Reef Club, The University of Miami, The Florida Marlins, and The Historical Museum of Southern Florida.
The Limited Edition gelatin silver photograph I donated was a recently shot image from South Andros Island, Bahamas. The photograph was of a lone mangrove in a vast open bight separating Central and South Andros, and area not to far from, and not to unlike the existing landscape here in South Florida.
Whether it is native oak, pine, mangrove, or thatch palm, whether it is a widely used public sidewalk, or a isolated stretch of coastline, our natural world around us needs to be cherished and respected, whether existing or sown. I hope that through my gift others can see that there are spectacular places within and just outside of their backyard that should be valued as well as appreciated.
The Coral Gables Community Foundation is a non-profit organization that puts on the "Greening of the Gables Gala" each year. It is their major fundraiser of the year and a great support for the local community as well as the environment. The Greening of the Gables Gala's goal is "to enhance the quality of life for people living and working in Coral Gables by planting trees, bushes, and other foliage in public rights of way, parks, and downtown areas, improving the beauty, value, and environment of our community."
The Black-Tie event was attended by over 200 guests, who enjoyed cocktails and hors d'oeuvres while bidding on silent auction items in the Biltmore's lovely Danielson Gallery. "A wide variety of unique and exciting silent auction items were generously donated by local artists, vendors, and loyal community supporters.
Posts
