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.
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- It’s a fun night for Ashley Bassim, left, Valeria Malamoco and Eric Godoy
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- Beautiful smiles from Rachel Schwartzman, left, and Tanya Breeling
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- Henry Gordon, left, with John Levisay and Steve McConahey
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- Eva Cernick dances with a royal python
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- Jodi Schoemer, left, smiles with Maura O’Neal, Amanda Bennett, Michael Lane and Kelly Tomajko
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- Celebrating the success of the evening: Jodi Schoemer, left, with Maura O’Neal, Amanda Bennett, Michael Lane and Kelly Tomajko
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- DMNS President & CEO George Sparks smiles with Shandra Wilson
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- Dr. Scot Sampson, left, shares the spotlight with Mary Hacking, George Sparks, Bridget Coughlin and Ed Scholz
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- It’s a beautiful night for Yuting Duan, left, Lily Duich and Ting Ting Chen
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- Trustee Ray Thomasson, left, with Decor Chair Merrill Shields and Trustee Hal Logan
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- Ann Logan, right, shows off her name in Chinese and smiles with Jane Lim
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- Jill Viehweg and Ka Chun Yu are proud to support DMNS
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- Time time out from bidding are Kathryn Keefer, left, Kathy McConahey and Cathy Cook
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- Exquisite auction items
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- Rare, one of a kind, silent auction pieces
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- Event chairs Lee and Susan McIntire celebrate the evening
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- Event chairs Lee and Susan McIntire smile at the success of Museum After Dark
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- Lee and Susan McIntire, left, with Shandra Wilson and George Sparks
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- Lee and Susan McIntire, left, share a photo moment with Bridget Coughlin and George Sparks
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- Guests could learn their name in Chinese
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- A popular table at the event
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- It’s a lovely evening for Jackie Warner, left, George Sparks and Ashley Alexander
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- Faruq Ibn Khalil Ibnyousef Abual-Mani, left, with Stephanie Wood, Nancy Walsh and Ted Vial
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- Trustees take time for a photo: Steve McConahey, left, Wayne Hutchins and John Frayer
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- An active Board of Trustees takes time for a photo
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- Guiding the museum: It’s Board of Trustees
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- Susan McIntire smiles with Trustee Peter Dea
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- Wayne and Joyce Hutchins are pleased to support DMNS
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- It’s a fun night for Trustee Lisa Levin Appel, left, her daughter Danielle Appel and Trustee Steve McConahey
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- Enjoying the evening after much hard work: Maura O’Neal, left, Amanda Bennett and Michael Lane
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- Nancy Alterman, left, celebrates the night with Susan McIntire and her daughter Lauren Napheys
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- Guests examine the Silk Road
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- Fun and games at the photo area
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- Angie Molter, left, with Christian Bienvenu, Mary Thompson and Jim Thompson
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- Elaine Harkins, left, smiles with Suzanne Schneider
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- It’s a fun night for Katharine Vail and James Ludwig
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- Paul and Janet Miskowicz are proud to support DMNS
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- Beautiful tables
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- Sherry Kornreich and Bill Gregory enjoy their night
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- Jenni Quinn, left, laughs with Peter Quinn and Katarina Stastny
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- Jessica Barclay, left, smiles with Jayne Ford, Trustee Monty Cleworth and Keith Tooley
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- Sharon and Tom Mandula join in the celebration of Silk Road
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- Toni Simmons enjoys the event with her 12-year-old daughter Jade
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- Kelly and Jennifer Ferris take time out for a photo
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- It’s a family night for John and Monica Scope and their sons Paul and Charlie
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- Lovely smiles from Julie Gart, left, and Jenny Stith
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- Lisa Biederman, left, with Julie Gart, Jenny Stith and Jodi Eisen
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- Governor John Hickenlooper, center, catches up with friends at Museum after Dark
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- Trustee Lisa Levin Appel, third from right, celebrates the night with her daughter and her friends
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- A toast to the evening!
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- Beautiful smiles from Murphy Hogsett, left, and Lauren Napheys
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- Governor John Hickenlooper participates in the event’s activities
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- Jen and Curt Stedrom are proud to support DMNS
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- Lisha Burnett, left, enjoys the evening with Steve Farber, Tamara Ward, Dustin Whistler, Jsaon Lent and Lindy Eichenbaum Lent
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- Jeff Ross and Kalleen Malone take time for a photo
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- Kristin Richardson, left, and Kathey Finely smile for a picture
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- Susan and Howard Noble, left, with Kathy Finely
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- Kalleen Malone, left, catches up wtih Arlene Hirschfeld and Susan McIntire
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- It’s a fun night for Piage Rhodes and Blake Rhodes, Karen and Steve Gottesfeld
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- Heather and John Hamrick are pleased to be a part of Museum After Dark
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- Costumes galore!
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- DMNS President & CEO George Sparks enjoys the event with his family and a special guest, Abby the Camel
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- Abby the Camel gives a special smile during a photo with DMNS President & CEO George Sparks and family
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- Mother-to-be Abby the Camel greeted guests
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- Ted Vial and Nancy Walsh look forward to the evening ahead
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- The curators come together for a photo
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- It’s a proud night for the leaders of DMNS
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- Laughing during the photo shoot
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- The talented curators of DMNS
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- Melissa Hansen, left, Mary Pat Rooney, Garan Weilnau and Aubrey Ryan are happy to help silent auction supporters
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- Not your usual silent auction items
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- Callie Belo, left, and Geenie Celento at Museum After Dark
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- John Demboski, left, and Joe Sertich are proud to support DMNS
