Traveling the Silk Road

Exquisite, Exotic, Intriguing: Words to describe this year’s Museum after Dark Gala. The theme, Traveling the Silk Road, also celebrated the opening of Denver Museum of Nature & Science’s newest exhibit which takes visitors on an extraordinary journey along the legendary trade route stretching from China through Central Asia to the Middle East and the Roman Empire.

Event Co-Chair Susan McIntire weaved through the room, her glowing smile as beautiful as her gold gown. She and her co-chair husband Lee McIntire, along with super supporters, threw a fantastic party for 700 people.

“I only had one sleepless night since we started planning last February,” shared Ms. McIntire. “The Board of Trustees involvement was amazing. They all played a part in making tonight such a success.”

Décor Chair Merrill Shields and her team did an incredible job creating the sense of stepping into Asia. From the very first steps, everything tied back to traveling the Silk Road. Abby, a tremendously big-eyed, scrumptiously soft camel, greeted guests. Next, attendees wound their way down a silk curtained hallway, passing belly dancers, a graceful, twisting contortionist and a sword swallower, who made onlookers impulsively gulp, before stepping into a beautiful bustling “marketplace” of sorts. These travelers bartered the modern way, using tablets to place bids on a vast collection of unique and interesting silent auction items ranging from alluring adventures to gems and minerals similar to the museum’s own.

What humbly began more than 100 years ago has grown tremendously. The museum’s newest wing provides thousands of additional square feet, thus allowing the museum to showcase more than one temporary exhibit at a time. The public can expect more of that from one of Denver’s most notable attractions.

“In 2015, we will have five traveling exhibits in one year,” explained Director of Marketing Amanda Bennett. “That just couldn’t be done in the past. It’s exciting.”

The goal for the evening was to raise $800,000 with 100 percent of the funds going toward educational programs. The mission of the museum is to be a catalyst and ignite the community’s passion for nature and science. The Denver Museum of Nature & Science envisions an empowered community that loves, understands, and protects our natural world.