The 10th annual Twilight in the Garden fundraiser for Kresge Art Museum, Michigan State University will be held from 4:30-8 p.m. Sept. 20 at the James B. Henry Center for Executive Development, 3535 Forest Road.

Tickets start at $100 and an RSVP is required. To request an invitation, call (517) 353-9834.

Proceeds from this annual event, organized by a committee of more than 20 volunteers led by Theodore H. Curry II, associate provost and associate vice president for academic human resources, will benefit the Facilities Fund for a new art museum building.  The new Eli and Edythe Broad Art Museum, designed by world-renowned architect Zaha Hadid, will enable the museum to increase its visibility, showcase more of the permanent collection, organize larger and more significant exhibitions and become more integral to university life and the greater community — bringing international attention to the museum, MSU, the region and Michigan. Groundbreaking is scheduled for March 2010.

According to Kresge Art Museum Director Susan J. Bandes, 2009 marks many milestones: Kresge Art Museum celebrates its 50th anniversary; Twilight in the Garden turns 10; and the proceeds will help the Friends reach their "Make it a Million" fundraising goal of $1 million for the new building.

“Thanks to the efforts of the Twilight Committee and the Friends of Kresge board, we have set our sights high to contribute significantly to the building project," Bandes said.

Scott Sowulewski and Suzanne Brouse, co-presidents of the Friends of Kresge, echo her statement that “the community has embraced the idea of the new museum and these enthusiastic volunteers have worked tirelessly for many months to make Twilight an evening to remember.”

Twilight will start in the late afternoon in the atrium of the Henry Center; Guests will be served hors d’oeuvres and drinks, and may bid on silent auction items, including more than 100 different works of art, donated by local artists.  Local businesses have donated an additional 50 auction items, ranging from travel packages and performance tickets to sports memorabilia and this year’s specially bottled 50th anniversary wine.

Music by jazz saxophonist George Howard will set the tone for the early evening, followed by a seated dinner prepared by University Club chefs. Twilight culminates with a spirited live auction of exclusive items led by professional auctioneers from Sheridan Realty and Auction Company. Featured artist Craig Mitchell Smith will provide floral and glass table centerpieces, which will be available during the silent auction.  Smith will also donate a one-of-a-kind glass, metal and marble sculpture to the Twilight auction.

Twilight in the Garden is supported by Dali Level Sponsor Team Lansing Foundation; Rembrandt Level sponsors Jack and Sue Davis, MSU Alumni Association, MSU Federal Credit Union and Rehmann Financial Group.  Honorary chairpersons for the event are MSU Provost Kim A. Wilcox, Diane Del Buono, Dianne Byrum, Board of Trustees, James Byrum and Betty Price.  More than 20 additional sponsors and donors have provided support for the event through sponsorships and donations.

To request an invitation, or more information on Twilight and the Eli and Edythe Broad Art Museum project, visit www.artmuseum.msu.edu, or call (517) 353-9834.

To request an interview with Craig Mitchell Smith, call (517) 353-9834.

To view images of the artwork available at the auction, visit http://www.artmuseum.msu.edu/twilight/auction.html.

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