If you haven’t had a chance to attend the Umlauf Garden Party, this would be a great year to start! The Garden Party, which features delicious food from Austin’s top restaurants, fine wines curated by Twin Liquors, an auction and a featured artist, has always been one of the year’s most vibrant and anticipated parties. This year’s 17th annual event will be held on April 23 from 6:30 – 10:30 at the Umlauf Sculpture Garden & Museum.
The property originally belonged to Angeline and Charles Umlauf, who in 1985 donated their home, studio and 168 of Charles’ sculptures to the City of Austin. The property was then transformed into a sculpture garden and today exhibits the work of the prolific artist as well as other contemporary sculptors. We can’t think of a better setting for the party—or for that matter, better honorary chairs than Paul Qui and Deana Saukam. They, along with featured artist Lance Letscher, are sure to set the bar even higher for this magical spring night under the stars.
Letscher is a celebrated Austin artist who creates collages from old letters and books, newspaper clippings, and other found objects. The use of text in his works gives it a poetic aspect, while eye-catching colors, patterns and textures lend harmony, atmosphere and emotion to his work. Letscher has had solo shows in England, France, Germany, Poland and Spain, and his art can be seen in collections at the Austin Museum of Art and The Museum of Fine Arts in Houston. One of his pieces will be unveiled at the party and available for auction.
Qui was Chef de Cuisine at Uchi before opening Uchiko, where he served as executive chef. Today, he is the chef/owner of the restaurant Qui, which GQ magazine called the Best New Restaurant in America in 2014, and he has won numerous other prestigious awards for his accomplishments both as a chef and a restaurateur. Qui also owns East Side King, Asian-inspired food trailers/restaurants in five locations, plus a popup trailer. Saukam is the co-owner, partner, and media and events director at qui and East Side King and has been very instrumental in both restaurants’ success. The duo, working alongside this year’s event chair, Ashley Holt, and co-chair, Leah Lee, are sure to create an unforgettable evening.
The Umlauf Sculpture Garden & Museum is a non-profit organization whose mission is to provide educational experiences that encourage the understanding and appreciation of sculpture in a natural and accessible setting. And now, with the recent signing of a 100-year agreement with the City of Austin, the Umlauf is positioned to continue serving 10s of thousands of visitors annually with workshops, classes, tours and exhibitions; offer additional adult and family programming and art-in-education outreach for at-risk youth; and provide touch-tours for visually impaired and guests with special needs. You can feel good knowing that proceeds from your ticket will go toward these valuable outreach and educational programs.
Many of us at Blairfield Realty have been lucky enough to attend the Umlauf Garden Party in years past. Take it from us: it’s is an event you won’t soon forget. Be sure to buy your tickets today!
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