The 44th Annual Renaissance Ball, the largest annual fundraiser benefiting the Oklahoma City Museum of Art, will be held Friday, Sept. 6 at 7 p.m. at the Oklahoma City Golf and Country Club. This year’s black-tie gala will be chaired by Caroline and Durward Hendee and will honor two of the Museum’s most generous advocates and leaders, Leslie and Cliff Hudson.
“We are thankful to the Hudsons for their years of support and service to the Museum,” said E. Michael Whittington, president and CEO. “Their personal, as well as their corporate, support enables the Museum to have an even greater impact on our community. I also thank the Hendees for chairing this year’sRenaissance Ball. Their longtime support is greatly valued, and I am looking forward to seeing their exciting take on this year’s event.”
The evening will feature an open bar cocktail reception followed by an elegant dinner. The late night celebration, a separate ticketed event, will begin at 9:30 p.m. with an open bar and refreshments continuing until midnight.
“We’re honored to be the chairs of the Renaissance Ball this year and are thrilled to have Lindsay and Jeff Graham join us as co-chairs,” said Durward Hendee. “The Renaissance Ball is one of Oklahoma City’s premier events and is a major source of funding for the Oklahoma City Museum of Art. Not only does this event help bring incredible exhibitions to the Museum, but it also helps fund robust cinematic and educational programs.”
Caroline Hendee added, “The Oklahoma City Museum of Art is near and dear to our hearts. My father, James Meade, was the first president of the Oklahoma City Art Museum when it merged with the Oklahoma Art Center in 1989. We have been passionate supporters of the museum since moving back to Oklahoma City 15 years ago.”
Caroline, acquisitions and divestments manager of Meade Energy and manager of Meade Investment Company, and Durward, president of Four C Ventures, have been members and supporters of the Museum since 2003.
Leslie and Cliff Hudson, this year’s honorees, have been supporters of the Museum for more than two decades. Leslie has served on the Museum’s board of trustees since 1997 and served as board chair from 2004 to 2006. Leslie and Cliff have been season sponsors of the Museum for 20 years, and their support has underwritten many of the Museum’s exhibitions and programs. The Hudsons chaired the 2008 Renaissance Ball and served as sponsorship chairs in 2002.
For information about how to become an event sponsor, contact Lauden Baker at (405) 278-8209 or lbaker@okcmoa.com.
