MIAMI BEACH, FL (MARCH 08, 2007)-More than 600 cultural aficionados from around the world celebrated The Wolfsonian’s fifth-annual gala and late-night party under the light of the silvery moon on Saturday, March 3. This year The Wolfsonian-Florida International University, a museum of design and the decorative arts in Miami Beach, honored five individuals and one corporation for their outstanding contributions to design and design education. The event was part of the museum’s signature fundraiser, “A Very Wolfsonian Weekend,” which raised more than $500,000. Funds will be used to support The Wolfsonian’s exhibits and educational programs.

The weekend’s festivities began on Friday, March 2, with a tribute to design legends Florence “Shu” Knoll Bassett, Dan Paul, Michael Graves, Nargis and Nasir Kassamali, and Tupperware Brands Corporation, represented by its Chairman and CEO Rick Goings. The Wolfsonian also announced the creation of an annual award, The Florence Knoll Design Award, which will be awarded in 2008. The evening began with welcoming comments by Wolfsonian director Cathy Leff and opening remarks by Wolfsonian founder, Mitchell Wolfson, Jr. Carl Gustav Magnusson, industrial designer and Wolfsonian advisory board member, was the master of ceremonies. Immediately after opening remarks, Paul Makovsky, editorial director of Metropolis Magazine; Beth Dunlop, architectural critic and author; Paola Antonelli, MOMA curator of design and architecture; Craig Robins, president of DACRA Development; and Marianne Lamonaca, associate director for exhibitions, curatorial affairs and education at The Wolfsonian, saluted the evening’s honorees. The award was designed by internationally acclaimed Massimo and Lella Vignelli. Esteemed architect Zaha Hadid will chair the first jury of the international award.

The following day, more than 600 people attended a gala sit-down dinner in honor of the “Florida Design Legends.” The gala was chaired by Wolfsonian Board Chair Charles Cowles; artist and Wolfsonian Board member Michele Oka Doner; Bacardi CEO John Esposito, and photographer Iran Issa-Khan. The stunning headquarters of Bacardi USA, an icon of the International Style, was transformed by event designer Karla Dascal of Karla Conceptual Event Experiences, with the participation of Design within Reach, which provided Knoll furniture for the cocktail and late-night party area. Swarovski Crystal Palace provided two towering peridot-hued “Glitterbox” chandeliers by George Baldele for the gala dinner. The ambiance created for the magical evening was formed from a melding of institutional and natural elements: Colombian driftwood and white rose table centerpieces, strategically placed mirrors garnished with Swarovski crystals, and flickering candlelight. The evening was then accented with the fine culinary details of Le Basque Caterers and the musical sounds of Sean Cohen.

The event drew a wide international audience, including Florida International University president, Modesto A. Maidique and wife Nancy; Wolfsonian founder Mitchell Wolfson, Jr.; Arquitectonica principals, Bernardo Fort-Brescia and Laurinda Spear; architect and interior designer, Alison Spear; Design Miami director, Ambra Medda; president of DACRA development and Wolfsonian advisory board member, Craig Robins; industrial designer and Wolfsonian advisory board member, Carl Gustav Magnusson; internationally acclaimed photographer, Bruce Weber and wife Nan Bush; Chairman of the FIU Board of Trustees, David R. Parker and wife Marian; FIU Trustee, Rosa Sugranes; Miami Beach Mayor, David Dermer; founders of DPZ, Elizabeth Plater-Zyberk and Andres Duany; chairman of the International Council for the Museum of Modern Art, Agnes Gund; Young – Ho Kim; Charlie and Jan Cowles; Channel 7 News anchor, Belkys Nerey; American architect and furniture and interior designer; Florence Knoll Bassett; architect Michael Graves, designer Christopher Ciccone; fashion designer Esteban Cortezar; Chairman and CEO of Tupperware Brands Corporation, Rick Goings and wife Susan; MOMA curator of design and architecture, Paola Antonelli; Delma Iles Bernard Zyscovich of Zyscovich Architects; Martin Marguiles and Constance Collins ; developer Ugo Colombo; Ruth and Richard Shack; Diane Widmaier-Picasso; Jimmy and Minnie Coleman from New Orleans; Lillian Vernon, as well as collectors from around the globe.

Sponsors included Bacardi USA, Continental Airlines, Swarovski, Design Within Reach and Robert Mondavi Winery.

About The Wolfsonian–Florida International University
The Wolfsonian–FIU is a museum and research center that uses objects to illustrate the persuasive power of art and design to explore what it means to be modern, and to tell the story of social, political, and technological changes that have transformed the world. The approximately 120,000 artifacts that comprise The Wolfsonian collection range from fine art, graphic design, and political propaganda to furniture, rare books, and ephemeral materials such as postcards and travel brochures. Since opening to the public just ten years ago, The Wolfsonian has developed and disseminated critically acclaimed exhibitions, publications, and educational programs that highlight the impact of design in shaping the modern world. Its vast patrimony of primary source materials provides unparalleled opportunities for scholarship and appreciation, making it a unique resource for local, national, and international audiences.

The Wolfsonian is located at 1001 Washington Avenue, Miami Beach, Fla. Admission is $7 adults; $5 seniors, students, and children six-12; free for Wolfsonian members, State University System of Florida staff and students with ID, children under six, and Miami Beach residents with ID. The museum is open Monday, Tuesday, Saturday and Sunday from noon-6pm; Thursday and Friday from noon-9pm; and is closed on Wednesday. Contact us at 305.531.1001 or visit us online at www.wolfsonian.org.

The Wolfsonian receives ongoing support from the State of Florida, Department of State, Division of Cultural Affairs, the Florida Arts Council and the National Endowment for the Arts; Miami-Dade County Department of Cultural Affairs and the Cultural Affairs Council, the Miami-Dade County Mayor and Board of County Commissioners; City of Miami Beach, Cultural Affairs Program, Cultural Arts Council; Crispin Porter + Bogusky; Continental Airlines, the preferred airline of The Wolfsonian; the Arthur F. and Alice E. Adams Foundation; and Karla Conceptual Event Experiences.

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