For those who participated in the specially-priced portrait sessions, your ticket entitles you to a download of one image from your session - please contact me so I may email it to you. Additional downloads and/or prints can be purchased. The year is 1932. Thousands of Richmond’s cultural and social elite have arrived en masse to the Jefferson Hotel to catch the first glimpse of the Spirit of the Ball as she descends from the ceiling in an immense decorative tulip. Though it was a short-lived affair, the Beaux Arts Ball was THE party of the century! It was the one time of year when Richmonders cast aside the woes of The Great Depression and gathered in costume to celebrate the capital city’s rich arts culture.
The eclectic gathering, which took place between 1931 and 1933, was designed to raise awareness and funds for the Richmond Academy of Arts.
Live jazz bands, novelty acts, dancing girls, horses, parades and guest appearances by then New York Gov. Franklin Delano Roosevelt, revelers never knew what to expect at the Beaux Arts Ball. But one thing was certain: They were guaranteed to have a good time!
Unfortunately, the Richmond Academy of Arts never came to be and with that the annual elaborate gala that once attracted 10,000 partygoers went by the wayside. In the 80 years since, Richmond has never had another affair of this caliber… Until now.
Each January, in the spirit of the Beaux Arts Ball, the Art Deco Society of Virginia hosts its annual Jazz Age Preservation Ball. This Roaring ’20s gala is designed to raise awareness and funds for Art Deco preservation projects in the Commonwealth. However, this time we are doing things a little differently. Given the unique historical significance of our benefactor, Bells for Peace, our 2015 gala paid homage to the famous 1939 New York World’s Fair.
Taking place at the Beaux-Arts styled Bolling Haxall House, the Preservation Ball featured:
Live music by The Blue Crescent Syncopators!
Live 1930s Dance Exposition!
Special performance by Richmond’s deco darling Dolli Holiday!
Complimentary Charleston dance lessons!
Silent and live auction!
50/50 Raffle!
Food, drinks, dancing and more!
All with the proceeds going toward Bells for Peace!
For more information on this and other Art Deco Society of Virginia events, please see
http://artdecova.org/
