Columbus Museum of Art's Wonderball to channel Met Gala on Saturday
If you've always wanted to attend the Metropolitan Museum of Art's annual costume ball in New York, but your invitation "got lost in the mail," don't despair — there's always Wonderball, Columbus' answer to the Met Gala.
Celebrating its 10th anniversary, Wonderball is a world of creativity where fashion fuses with the arts. "It was conceived to celebrate creativity in all of its forms and celebrate the creative spirit of Columbus," said Lydia Simon, director of marketing and communications at the Columbus Museum of Art, where the event will take place Saturday night.
"It originated with the museum's previous creative director Nannette (Maciejunes) as a fundraiser, as something a bit more accessible and attractive to younger people," she said.
Since the first Wonderball in 2015, more than 10,000 people have attended the annual event, raising more than $1.2 million in support of the museum’s efforts to nurture creativity and foster lifelong learning. Last year's ball drew a sold-out crowd of about 1,700 people, Simon said.
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The co-chairs for the event are Corey and Shayla Favor. Corey, a graduate of Columbus College of Art & Design started out as a volunteer and helped Wonderball expand to the extravaganza it is today. Shayla is an attorney by trade and a Columbus city councilwoman.
"We have been attending for at least 5-6 years. We're both very much supporters of the creative arts," Shayla Favor said. "To be honored with being co-chairs this year is really humbling for us.
"The Columbus Museum of Art has done so much for the community and the city of Columbus. And (executive director and CEO) Brooke Minto — Wonderball will occur under her purview. She's a wonderful asset and we're excited to chair under her leadership."
Attendees are invited to dress up in their most imaginative black-and-white ensembles and add a splash of metallic flair, whether it's silver, gold, sparkles or any other shimmery fashion statement. Need accessories to complement your outfit? Browse the Columbus Museum of Art's collection of black, white and gold jewelry at the store on its website, columbusmuseum.org.
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Wonderball guests will receive one drink ticket, sample bites from more than a dozen favorite Columbus eateries, access to numerous creative experiences, after-hours entry to museum galleries and their tax-deductible donation will benefit the museum’s creative programming.
Simon advises first-timers to "go in ready to be completely amazed and present in the moment" so they can experience all the museum has to offer. "All of your senses are going to be firing off at time," she said.
Wonderball is indeed a sensory experience, Shayla Favor explained. "You get to hear things, see things, touch things and interact with the art," she said. "This is the museum after dark, an exciting way to live and breathe the museum at night."
In addition to eye-popping fashion and mouthwatering food, the senses will be further stimulated by art installations by Dana Lynn Harper, Zane Miller, and Jessica Wolf; sets by Candy Rain, DJ Aloha, and DJ True Skillz; experiences by photographer Autumn Theodore, and Arabic master calligrapher Hassan Qureshi; and visual displays and sound by Pacemour Creative.
A variety of live performances also will highlight the event, including Anna and The Annadroids, Starlit Ways and Synergy featuring visual artist Lance Johnson, designer Celeste Malvar-Stewart, and dancers Micaela Gonzalez and Amelia. Sponsors will be treated to exclusive live music by Lily Bloom and Sam Corlett & Mt. Air.
Attendees should be prepared to be inspired, Shayla Favor said. "I am not a creative artist in the traditional sense, but I'm always motivated to use what I have to leave the community better than I found it."
Corey Favor emphasized that the event also will allow attendees to experience the museum in a new way. "Every room has a different experience celebrating the past, present and future of Wonderball," he said.
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"If it's your first time attending or coming to museum, it's a great opportunity to experience what the museum has to offer — it's a gateway to explore the community. You can explore the different areas of the museum and the exhibits. This is an opportunity to get lost and maybe explore a corridor of the museum you've never seen."
In what Shayla Favor called "a rewind or a refresh," the museum will be honoring artists who have participated in Wonderball in the past. Jurying from these artists is a special way to salute those who have contributed to the event's journey. Wonderball's usual public call for artists will resume next year.
"It gives people an opportunity to engage with older artists," Shayla Favor said. "It's also a great opportunity to see how far Wonderball has come."
Last, but certainly not least, Corey Favor said it's important to keep in mind that Wonderball is a fundraiser.
"The dollars impact all the programs at the museum," he said. "So, we're partying with a purpose."
At a glance
The 10th annual Wonderball will begin at 8 p.m. Saturday at the Columbus Museum of Art, 480 E. Broad St. Guests must be 21 or older. Tickets cost $150 at eventbrite.com — search for "Wonderball." Sales end Friday. (columbusmuseum.org)
This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Columbus Museum of Art to celebrate 10th annual Wonderball on Saturday
