Austin360 blogs > Out & About > Archives > 2010 > April > 25 > Entry
Body of Art Gala at Mayfield Park Home
Rarely has a personal collection received such a rapturous response. Deborah Green and Clayton Aynesworth opened their new Mayfield Park home to hundreds of gawkers on Friday. They came for the art. They came for the architecture. They came for the party.
Deborah Green and Clayton Aynesworth
Gatsbyesque. That’s the first adjective that comes to mind. And who knows how deep into the night this Women & Their Work gala progressed?
They were here …
Denise Prince’s performers — dressed head-to-toe in a Spandex-like material — set the tone. They posed on ledges. They splashed in the entry pool. They frolicked in a bed and lounged in a tub. Since the W&TW series is called “Body of Art,” the omnipresence of these serpentine dancers could not have been more appropriate.
They were there …
Then there’s the house. It’s large. On several levels. Modernist. Severe is sections, playful in others. And since it is perched above the Laguna Gloria slough, it feels wrapped in peacefulness.
They were everywhere … even flirting with dance legend Deborah Hay
It was anything but peaceful Friday. Hundreds of guests mingled among the collections of contemporary art, antique objects and stuffed animals. (My favorite room is dominated by two exquisite peacocks. Not living.)
Mark and Meredith Word with Elizabeth Tigar
Clearly the house was designed for the collection, because it is displayed to its best from ceiling to floor. The objects are so various, there’s no way to evaluate them individually or in small groups. As a whole, the effect is overpowering.
Andrew and Christine Stewart
Since it was also a Fusebox Festival night, I wondered which Austin tribes would show up. Many — law, sports, arts, charity, style, nightlife, interactive — were represented. My guest for the evening, Jeff Kirk, and I could have chattered all night. (Separately. Like a good walker, Jeff can handle himself in a crowd while I work a room.)
Christine Mennes and Anthony Garza
At one point, I said: “Let’s start heading for the door. It will take us a while.” It did. We were both sidetracked so many times, it looked like we’d be kidnapped by the romping Spandexites.
Oh. And a fire dancer down by the water. Does anyone remember a more incendiary W&TW party?
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