Private art collections are immensely personal. To be invited inside someone’s home to see his or her collection is a privilege. This summer three local art collectors will open their doors to show their collections to raise money to support ArtsKC – Regional Arts Council’s mission and vital community enriching programs.
The private event series, Aperitif, will provide an intimate sampling of art before cocktails and hors d’oeuvres to arouse participants’ appetites for supporting the arts and ArtsKC. Hosts who will be opening their homes include Dr. Regina Nouhan and John Eck of Mission Hills along with their co-hosts Dr. Terry Anderson and Michael Henry on June 25; Helen and Frank Wewers’ urban pied-à-terre on the West Side with support of co-hosts Susie and Tom Corbin and Theresa and Dr. Bradley Freilich on June 11; and One Light Luxury Apartments in the Kansas City Power & Light District followed by an afterparty at Mosaic Night Club on June 4.
Aperitif participants will see the combination of classical and contemporary in Nouhan’s and Eck’s collection, which includes works by Anne Lindberg, Etienne Caron, and Barbara Vos. The Wewers’ heavily-influenced Asian collection includes works by Zhu Yiyong, Hung Liu, Roger Shimomura, and Liao Zhenwu. One Light Luxury will showcase 25 floors of artwork from five local artists purchased from Kim Weinberger, owner of Weinberger Fine Arts, who is also chairing the Aperitif series.
“I believe that art is a luxury that everyone deserves,” says Weinberger. “So it was serendipitous when One Light Luxury called upon me to install original art in its 25-story building, because it is a powerfully cost-effective way to project a positive image and provide an elegant and stimulating atmosphere in any environment.”
Weinberger is also co-chairing the Kemper Gala this year. “I volunteered to lead these events as a means to strengthen the Kansas City arts community,” says Weinberger. “Doing so enables me to deepen the conversation about fine arts through advocacy, education, and art-infused events.”
June 25th party hosts Nouhan and Eck have been collecting art for 20 years but have found heightened interest during the past eight years of collecting together as husband and wife. Their collection includes dozens of Eck’s ceramic pieces that he creates at his art space, rafter e studio, when he is not working as an architect by trade.
Nouhan is a plastic surgeon by day and says her profession makes her look at things differently while still focusing on shape and form. This has translated well while Nouhan and Eck round out their joint collection, which includes both fine and restored art.
“I used to collect by motley whim,” says Nouhan. “Now we invest in beautiful things that are timeless.”
Brenda Clevenger is the marketing director at ArtsKC and a budding art collector. Proceeds from ArtsKC Aperitif events benefit the mission of ArtsKC – Regional Arts Council. Visit www.ArtsKC.org/aperitif for details or tickets.
All photos courtesy ArtsKC
–Brenda Clevenger
