For Immediate Release
MEDIA CONTACTS:
Susan Daly (401-848-5777, ext 220)
Cynthia Goss (203-453-2731)
IYRS Annual Summer Gala Sponsored by Lexus Raises Record Sum
Total of $660,000 Raised to Support IYRS and the Museum of Yachting
Newport (R.I.) July 16, 2008 — When over 500 guests filed through the doors of the International Yacht Restoration School (IYRS) on July 12 for the Eleventh Annual Summer Gala, sponsored by Lexus, they found a fitting scene for revelry–an industrial building transformed with flickering lanterns, towering panels of black and citron fabric, and a classic Beetle Cat sailboat positioned center stage, complete with Hollywood-star lighting. But gala-goers gathered at IYRS for something deeper than a good time: they came to support two organizations that make Newport wholly unique by tying this waterfront city to its maritime past and present. The theme of the evening, "A New Launch," celebrated the joining of IYRS and the Museum of Yachting. The event raised a record-breaking sum of $660,000.
"There is a great deal of momentum surrounding IYRS and the Museum … It's clear that the community embraces the convergence of these two organizations—and there are many exciting opportunities going forward," said Carol O'Malley (San Antonio, Texas), who co-chaired the event with Joseph Dockery (Newport, R.I./Greenwich, Conn.).
IYRS trains trades people for careers in the marine industry, a business that is critical to the state's economy, and in turn preserves the craft of classic-boat restoration. The school and the Museum converged in 2007; this summer they have coordinated exhibitions and boat-building projects to create cultural attractions that are engaging the public in our maritime heritage.
Joe Dockery and Carol O'Malley—who together surpassed the fund-raising record they achieved as chairs of last year's event—were joined at the gala by title sponsor Lexus; platinum sponsors Castello delle Regine, Condé Nast Publications, Prestige Lexus of Ramsey (N.J.), and Sentient Jet Membership; and a host of ardent supporters who together made the evening a great success.
World-class sailor and journalist Gary Jobson served as auctioneer for a series of items prized by those who value their time on the water and world travel. In addition to the live auction, platinum sponsor Sentient Jet Membership hosted a Collectors' Gallery, which included exotic vacation opportunities and art objects. Items that attracted the highest bids and attention included a vacation at the Castello delle Regine luxury vineyard estate in Umbria, a private-jet flight card with Sentient Jet, a painting donated by Quester Galley by American Impressionist David Bareford, and an opportunity to daysail with Newport skipper Ken Read onboard PUMA Ocean Racing, the lightning-fast 70-footer Read will skipper in the grueling Volvo Ocean Race.
The gala crowned an entire weekend of festivity, including an opening reception for an exhibition and sale of American marine art to benefit IYRS and the Museum of Yachting at William Vareika Fine Arts, an auction preview party on Friday staged around the Museum's three new exhibitions, on-the-water activities aboard a fleet of classic and modern yachts, and a farewell brunch at the New York Yacht Club.
The 2007-2008 time period has been a milestone chapter for both IYRS and the Museum. In addition to the convergence of these two organizations, other developments during that time period include: the graduation of the first class from the IYRS Marine Systems Program, which was developed with the American Boat & Yacht Council (ABYC) to meet the marine industry’s demand for workers skilled in the maintenance and installation of onboard systems; the refurbishment of exhibition space at the Museum and debut of three new exhibitions that are coordinated with boat building and restoration projects at IYRS and the Museum; and the continuing restoration of the 1831 Aquidneck mill building on the IYRS campus that has attracted federal funding, thanks to the efforts of U.S. Senators Jack Reed and Sheldon Whitehouse, and is due for completion this December.
Commodore Sponsors of the gala included AIG Private Client Group, Dwyer Insurance, Feadship America, Quester Gallery, Pusser's Rum, William Vareika Fine Arts, and Vineyard Vines. Richard Carbotti and Perfect Surroundings, Inc. transformed the school's Restoration Hall for the event.
The Twelfth Annual Summer Gala at IYRS is scheduled for Saturday, July 11, 2009.
For more information about IYRS, visit www.iyrs.org. For more about the Museum of Yachting, visit www.moy.org.
NOTE: Photos of the Annual Summer Gala are available for publication; please contact Cynthia Goss (203-453-2731 / media@iyrs.org).