The Crowd: DARTS aims at helping local causes
The Decorative Arts Society of Orange County (DARTS) is a unique confederation of citizens with a passion for the decorative arts — including interior design, architecture, fine art, gardens, fabric, fashion design and collections of varied origin — combined with a strong sense of community outreach and fundraising for local causes.
Each year the DARTS board designates tens of thousands of society dollars to a host of nonprofits primarily assisting O.C. families and children.
The annual DARTS events are created around a speaker series. Serious players in the worlds of decorating and collecting are hosted in Newport Beach. A members dinner reception with the guest speaker precedes a lecture, which is open to the public and held in a theater at Regal Cinemas’ Edwards Big Newport 6, Fashion Island.
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Recently, the DARTS’ distinguished guest was Los Angeles-based Richard Shapiro. His gallery, Richard Shapiro Studiolo, attracts collectors seeking Shapiro’s trained eye in fine and rare Italian furniture and his collection of iconic post-war contemporary art and objects of design quality, many dating to antiquity. Studiolo also displays a 50-piece collection of modern furniture that Shapiro designs, manufactures and sells worldwide.
Well known in the social world of Beverly Hills, Shapiro is also the designer and co-founder of the chic Grill on the Alley restaurant, a watering hole for many L.A. movers and shakers.
On the evening of Feb. 13, the designer came to mingle with DARTS fans at a newly designed, modern Tuscan European residence in the Harbor View Homes hood. The design was by architect Larry Pedersen, with added architectural detailing by Lynn Pries and landscape design by David Pedersen working with a representative of Sandpiper Landscape. Shapiro shook hands with admirers touring the 4,500-square-foot residence.
The crowd — including DARTS President Maureen Madigan with husband Nick Madigan, Carole and Barry Steele, Mary Anna and Arthur Jeppe, Sharon and Jim Henwood, Linda and Jim Philips, and Ann and Bill Dennis — explored the mix of Old World and modern elements representing the au current taste de jour. Spotted on the glass stairwell were Cathi Bledsoe, Madeline Hayward and Laurie Eggleston, all devoted DARTS board members.
Enjoying the catering by Fork, Knife + Spoon were David and Alison Wood, Suzanne and Peter Desforges, Judy and Bill Brady, Cecilia Nott, MaraLou Harrington and Jennifer Walker.
The following morning, some 200 patrons converged in the theater for Shapiro’s address on “The Evolution of an Aesthete.” The silent crowd was mesmerized.
Funds raised from Shapiro’s performance will make a difference in the lives of many O.C. families. Since 1995, DARTS has made its mark on the community in decidedly designer fashion.
To learn more, go to www.decorativeartssociety.net.
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B.W. COOK is editor of the Bay Window, the official publication of the Balboa Bay Club in Newport Beach.
