At the end of May the Westmoreland Museum of American Art celebrated 50 years since it opened its doors to the public back in 1959.  In honor of the special event, the women's committee revived an old tradition of holding a gala event to mark the occaision.  The weekend was packed full of activities starting with Friday.

A ribbon cutting ceremony was held open to the public and the main event was a cake by Charm City Cakes in Baltimore, MD.  If you watch Food Network, are a foodie, or just love cake - you will know about the show Ace of Cakes.  Geoff created this replica of the museum exterior for the event down to the last detail - even the roof!  Tons of people flooded in not so much for the speeches, but just to see this awesome cake.  Personally I was hoping Duff or Mary Alice or Geoff or someone else from the show would be there to meet and greet.  (I was planning on going all fan-crazy - like a group of 12 year olds meeting the Jonas Brothers.)  Alas - someone from the bakery arrived early that morning, dropped off the cake, and then made the return trip immediately.  

 I was sad :-(

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Like all of their creations, every detail was perfectly formed in fondant - and it smelled delicious ! 

 

 

Guests of honor on Friday included these seven original members of the museum who joined on opening day in 1959.  What an accomplishement to have been part of 50 years of art and life and friendship.

 

 

On Saturday evening, the Women's Committee hosted the 50th Anniversary Museum Ball that started with a cocktail party in the gallery and then moved outside into a luxurious tent erected right in the middle of the street.  Champagne carpeting covered the floor and gold and champagne linens covered the tables.

 

 

 

 

 

Guests enjoyed their drinks, chatted with friends and then strolled through the doors down the gold carpet lined with palm trees. 

 

 

 

 

 

The food was a work of art by Common Pleas.

P.S.  BEST VENDOR MEAL EVER :-)

 

 

 

 

 

After a few speeches, the mic was open and guests took the opportunity to express their gratitude and thanks to the all the museum staff and contributers and their committment to making the museum a success.

 

 

After dinner and dessert, everyone moved back inside to the gallery for the after party.  The lighting changed colors throughout the night from blue to pink to purple to red - painting the canvas of the blank gallery walls.  A live band kept everyone on their toes and dancing till long after midnight.  (I know they definitely out-lasted me ;-)

 

Not only was it a fantastic evening celebration, I had a great time hanging out with the girls from Fanfare Column !

If you'd like to be part of the experience, check out www.wmuseumaa.org and visit !