THE WOLFSONIAN KICKS OFF 10TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATIONS WITH A VERY WOLFSONIAN WEEKEND, NOVEMBER 11–13, 2005
Annual Weekend to Include New Exhibition, Black-Tie Gala and Open House in Support of the Museum

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MIAMI BEACH, FL—The Wolfsonian-Florida International University‘s 10th anniversary celebration officially begins November 11 to 13, 2005, with A Very Wolfsonian Weekend, marking the museum’s collection growth, dynamic exhibitions and education programs, research and scholarly publications, and service to the community since it opened in 1995. The festivities for the museum’s fourth annual weekend, sponsored this year by JPMorgan, will be comprised of three major events: a black-tie gala at the Biltmore Hotel in Coral Gables, an exhibition opening and reception for In Pursuit of Pleasure: Schultze & Weaver and the American Hotel, which explores the American hotel, as well as a community open house. The funds raised throughout the weekend will be used to support the museum’s current initiatives, as well as to strengthen its endowment and sustain continued growth of the institution’s collection, exhibitions, public programs and other activities.

THE WOLFSONIAN 10TH ANNIVERSARY GALA AND LATE NIGHT PARTY
Friday, November 11, 7:30pm, Biltmore Hotel, Coral Gables
The weekend’s festivities will begin with a black-tie gala at the Biltmore Hotel in Coral Gables, honoring the public and private partnerships that have contributed to the success of the museum. The gala is a celebration of the contributions of three important public, private and corporate partnerships in the life of The Wolfsonian: founder Mitchell Wolfson Jr.; FIU President Modesto A. Maidique, whose vision made the University partnership possible; and Michael Holden, a founding and current board member and managing director at JPMorgan, the museum’s first and largest corporate underwriter. With honorary national chairs Mary and Howard Frank, Craig Robins and Ambra Medda, and Andre Balazs, the gala will attract nearly 600 guests for an elegant evening and will feature the Peter Duchin Orchestra. The evening will be capped off with the annual Later Night Party, which is organized by the Wolf Pack, the museum’s young professionals organization, which will include world-famous Israel “Cachao” Lopez, the Cuban-born musician regarded as the founding father of the mambo rhythm. Tickets are $500 and $1,000 per person for the gala, late-night party tickets are $75 per person. Beverages sponsored by Bacardi USA and Southern Wine and Spirits. Event sponsored by Coral Gables Biltmore Hotel. 

‘IN PURSUIT OF PLEASURE: SCHULTZE & WEAVER AND THE AMERICAN HOTEL’ OPENING RECEPTION
Saturday, November 12, 6:30–8:30pm, The Wolfsonian
The anniversary weekend will include a Saturday evening members’ opening of In Pursuit of Pleasure: Schultze & Weaver and the American Hotel, which explores hotel culture in the first half of the 20th century through the works of the architectural firm Schultze & Weaver, best known for designing New York’s Waldorf-Astoria, Sherry-Netherland and Pierre, and South Florida’s Biltmore and Breakers, among others. In addition, the museum will also celebrate two new Wolfsonian publications: Grand Hotels of the Jazz Age: The Architecture of Schultze & Weaver, published by Princeton Architectural Press and the hotel-themed issue of The Journal of Decorative and Propaganda Arts, distributed by MIT Press. Free for Wolfsonian members and Wolfsonian weekend guests.

COMMUNITY OPEN HOUSE & FAMILY FUNDAY
Sunday, November 13, noon–6pm, The Wolfsonian
Everyone is welcome to partake in the celebration and enjoy free admission to the fall exhibitions, gallery tours and family workshops. Event includes a Family Funday program that encourages families to explore the galleries together, activities and hands-on projects. This will also be the first day of public viewing of In Pursuit of Pleasure. Food and beverages will be provided.

The anniversary celebration will also include the semi-annual Members’ Appreciation event, during which all members receive a 20 percent discount on merchandise in the new museum store and complimentary holiday gift wrap, as well as specials in the museum’s new café.

For tickets or additional information on A Very Wolfsonian Weekend, contact Naomi Honig at 305.535.2631. For sponsorship opportunities, contact Glenn Kaufhold at 305.348.3773. 

About The Wolfsonian–Florida International University 
The Wolfsonian 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 100,000 artifacts that comprise the Wolfsonian’s collections range from fine art, graphic design and political propaganda to furniture, rare books and ephemeral materials such as postcards and travel brochures.

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; Florida Arts Council; Miami-Dade County Department of Cultural Affairs through the Cultural Affairs Council; the Mayor and the Miami-Dade County Board of County Commissioners; the Mayor and City Commission of the City of Miami Beach and the Miami Beach Cultural Arts Council; Crispin Porter + Bogusky; Dacra and the Miami Design District; Continental Airlines, the preferred airline of The Wolfsonian; the Arthur F. and Alice E. Adams Foundation; Artécity, for inspired condo living; Carnival Foundation; and RBK Productions.