Driving by Buford Circle on Friday January 20, you couldn't miss McNeal Hall, glowing with red light in the dark of the evening (by Dynamic Drape & Lighting). Live music by Black Audience greeted guests in the atrium as they made their way up to the gallery for Character in Costume: A Jack Edwards Retrospective. Almost 400 people braved the snow and ice for a glimpse of the gallery, and of Jack Edwards. Jack sat down in the gallery at 6pm to prepare for an evening mingling, but didn't leave the chair all evening, and almost became part of the exhibition. A receiving line ran out of the gallery as he was greeted by friends from near and far including Texas, Washington D.C., California, and New York.

Left: Jack Edwards, Right: Edwards greeting guests in the gallery

Co-curator Tim Carroll called the evening "one hot affair on a cold winter's night." He continued, "There was not a naysayer in the crowd!" As the crowd noshed on hors devours from Common Roots Café, they were charmed by musicians playing cocktail music dressed in actual footman costumes from the 1986 Guthrie production of The Misanthrope.

Right: Co-Curator Tim Carroll with friends, Left: McNeal Hall glowing red

The gallery was packed from 6-9pm as attendees discussed Edward's amazing range of work, and shared memories of individual pieces. We were pleased to see individuals who loaned objects to the exhibition including Ruth and David Bachman, James and Susan Berdahl, Jan Bruncati, and Lorie and Tim Line. The evening was also enhanced by beautiful flower arrangements from Ruth and David Bachman, Roger Beck Florist, and Edwards's friends from Hawaii.

Left: Lorie and Tim Line, Right: Guests chatting about the exhibition

The support for this exhibition, including attendees, press, volunteers, the College of Design, and the generous donors, is beyond words. We are so thankful to everyone who has supported this exhibition, and if you couldn't make it to the opening keep your eyes peeled for upcoming events in conjunction with the exhibition, and opportunities to meet Edwards! Check out the rest of the event photos!

By Jenny Parker: Goldstein Museum of Design Graduate Assistant, MFA candidate in Graphic Design and Museum Studies