Posted 1:52 am Friday, June 24, 2011
Mad Hatter's Tea Party, Auction Fund Gallery Main Street
By Jacque Hilburn-Simmons,
Staff Writer
Fashion-conscious Kathy Wood, 67, of Tyler, knows how to turn a head.
It's not difficult, she said — just put on a nice hat.
“I grew up wearing hats,” she said, touching a finger to her summery headdress. “You have to be brave to wear a hat. It makes a statement — people look at you.”
Staff Writer
Fashion-conscious Kathy Wood, 67, of Tyler, knows how to turn a head.
It's not difficult, she said — just put on a nice hat.
“I grew up wearing hats,” she said, touching a finger to her summery headdress. “You have to be brave to wear a hat. It makes a statement — people look at you.”
Headwear was the encouraged attire for participants of Thursday's first Mad Hatter's Tea, a whimsical fundraiser and auction benefiting Gallery Main Street and Tyler Main Street.
The lunchtime event, based on the “Alice in Wonderland” animated classic, included lunch and opportunities to purchase custom-painted pottery and donated gift items.
The lunchtime event, based on the “Alice in Wonderland” animated classic, included lunch and opportunities to purchase custom-painted pottery and donated gift items.
Small oak trees in decorated pots were positioned throughout the gallery.
“Obviously this is a fundraiser, but we're also wanting people to have a nice time downtown,” Beverly Abell, Main Street director, said. “The tea party took place in a forest setting. We have a forest in here, and it's for sale, too.”
Trees purchased at the event can be registered as part of Mayor Barbara Bass' Tree Tyler initiative of planting 5,000 trees in the next five years.
“Obviously this is a fundraiser, but we're also wanting people to have a nice time downtown,” Beverly Abell, Main Street director, said. “The tea party took place in a forest setting. We have a forest in here, and it's for sale, too.”
Trees purchased at the event can be registered as part of Mayor Barbara Bass' Tree Tyler initiative of planting 5,000 trees in the next five years.
The Mad Hatter's Tea featured mismatched china and a meal of finger sandwiches, quiche, salad, fruit, citrus tea, lemon bars and buttermilk scones with jam.
Wrap-up included a sneak peek at ongoing renovations of Liberty Hall.
Custom-painted tea cups and saucers offered for sale at the event ranged from simple to elaborate.
Wrap-up included a sneak peek at ongoing renovations of Liberty Hall.
Custom-painted tea cups and saucers offered for sale at the event ranged from simple to elaborate.
Artist Mary Celeste Nyberg spent more than 10 hours on her creation, which featured multiple coats of color, Ms. Abell said.
Other work appearing in the event was created by artists in the Downtown Tyler Arts Coalition and the mayor, whose painted cup featured the city of Tyler logo.
Participants seemed to love the art — but they adored the hats.
Mistress of ceremonies Mandee Montana, 27, celebrated the occasion in a dainty cocktail hat and veil.
“This is a vintage hat I borrowed from a very good friend,” she said. “I like the feeling of a hat; I feel very much like a lady. It's just so whimsical and fun.”
The variety seemed endless.
Some were whimsical; others were not.
Hats of every color and material — flowers, lace, ribbons and even bits of fluffy stuff that floated in the breeze — adorned heads in attendance.
Mayor Bass wore something borrowed and blue.
“I had a friend who had all kinds of hats,” she said of her straw dress hat with a turquoise bow. “I like hats and I have some of my own, but they are mostly wool and not really for summer.”
Participant Lexie Hanson, 21, a student, wore a complete Alice in Wonderland costume.
“I'm glad to be a part of this,” she said. “It's really awesome.”
Her mother, Susan Guthrie — donning a towering green “Mad Hatter” hat — said the light-hearted spirit of the occasion was popular among guests.
“Forty-eight people are expected,” she said. “We have a capacity for 50.”
Participant LaVerne Gollob viewed the fanciful event as a fun way to support downtown.
“I love to support anything with the arts,” she said. “I was born in Tyler. I was here when Broadway stopped at Rose Hill cemetery. Tyler is the most beautiful place in the United States; people just love it here. Anything that happens downtown, I support.”
Smith County Commissioner JoAnn Hampton, wearing a dark hat with a cream-colored silk flower, agreed.
She said events such as the city's Gallery Main Street and the new Spring Avenue Park Plaza are re-creating the face of downtown.
“We encourage people to come downtown and enjoy themselves,” she said.
Ms. Wood seemed to appreciate the tea and the opportunity to enjoy an old favorite.
“I bought this at least 35 years ago for my daughter, at Neiman Marcus,” she said. “I enjoy hats — you don't have to worry about your hair.”
Tea sponsors and supporters included East Texas Radio Group, Regions Bank, Mayor Barbara Bass, Sam and Diane Mezayek, Jason and Carrie Wright, Mandee Montana, Mike and Kathy Wood, Downtown Tyler Arts Coalition Artists, Piddlin' Pottery, Tyler Parks and Recreation, Salon Verve, Sweet Gourmet, Premier Fitness, Balance Pilates and Dance, KE Cellars, Tom Sorrels Insurance and Sonoma Grill.
Other work appearing in the event was created by artists in the Downtown Tyler Arts Coalition and the mayor, whose painted cup featured the city of Tyler logo.
Participants seemed to love the art — but they adored the hats.
Mistress of ceremonies Mandee Montana, 27, celebrated the occasion in a dainty cocktail hat and veil.
“This is a vintage hat I borrowed from a very good friend,” she said. “I like the feeling of a hat; I feel very much like a lady. It's just so whimsical and fun.”
The variety seemed endless.
Some were whimsical; others were not.
Hats of every color and material — flowers, lace, ribbons and even bits of fluffy stuff that floated in the breeze — adorned heads in attendance.
Mayor Bass wore something borrowed and blue.
“I had a friend who had all kinds of hats,” she said of her straw dress hat with a turquoise bow. “I like hats and I have some of my own, but they are mostly wool and not really for summer.”
Participant Lexie Hanson, 21, a student, wore a complete Alice in Wonderland costume.
“I'm glad to be a part of this,” she said. “It's really awesome.”
Her mother, Susan Guthrie — donning a towering green “Mad Hatter” hat — said the light-hearted spirit of the occasion was popular among guests.
“Forty-eight people are expected,” she said. “We have a capacity for 50.”
Participant LaVerne Gollob viewed the fanciful event as a fun way to support downtown.
“I love to support anything with the arts,” she said. “I was born in Tyler. I was here when Broadway stopped at Rose Hill cemetery. Tyler is the most beautiful place in the United States; people just love it here. Anything that happens downtown, I support.”
Smith County Commissioner JoAnn Hampton, wearing a dark hat with a cream-colored silk flower, agreed.
She said events such as the city's Gallery Main Street and the new Spring Avenue Park Plaza are re-creating the face of downtown.
“We encourage people to come downtown and enjoy themselves,” she said.
Ms. Wood seemed to appreciate the tea and the opportunity to enjoy an old favorite.
“I bought this at least 35 years ago for my daughter, at Neiman Marcus,” she said. “I enjoy hats — you don't have to worry about your hair.”
Tea sponsors and supporters included East Texas Radio Group, Regions Bank, Mayor Barbara Bass, Sam and Diane Mezayek, Jason and Carrie Wright, Mandee Montana, Mike and Kathy Wood, Downtown Tyler Arts Coalition Artists, Piddlin' Pottery, Tyler Parks and Recreation, Salon Verve, Sweet Gourmet, Premier Fitness, Balance Pilates and Dance, KE Cellars, Tom Sorrels Insurance and Sonoma Grill.
