FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Media Contact:
Steve Christensen                
LUMA
312.915.6164                        
schris6@luc.edu         

Local Renowned French Chefs Highlight Annual Fundraiser at
the Loyola University Museum of Art
“Paris by the Lake” Recreates Authentic and Lively French Market

CHICAGO, May 8, 2009 – The Loyola University Museum of Art’s (LUMA) annual fundraising gala will be held on Monday, June 22, 2009, when it hosts “Paris by the Lake,” on Loyola’s Water Tower Campus. The event, to be held in conjunction with the museum’s blockbuster summer exhibition Rodin: In His Own Words—Selections from the Iris and B. Gerald Cantor Foundation, will recreate a lively French market and offer guests the unique opportunity to taste French cuisine created by some of Chicago’s top chefs.

The evening will kick- withoff a preview of the Rodin: In His Own Words—Selections from the Iris and B. Gerald Cantor Foundation exhibition from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. in the LUMA galleries, at 820 N. Michigan Avenue. At 6:30 p.m., “Paris by the Lake” opens to guests at 51 E. Pearson Street. Gala festivities will be held both indoors and outdoors, and will include cocktails, street musicians, the French market, and fabulous French cuisine.

Headlining the gala are chefs Dominique Tougne of Bistro 110, Joseph Doppes of Bistrot Margot, Tim Kirker of Bistrot Zinc, Vincent Colombet of Cook-Au-Vin, Didier Durand of Cyrano’s Café and Wine Bar on the River Walk, and Jacquy Pfeiffer of the French Pastry School. Each chef will prepare a number of tasty items that will be available to guests throughout the evening. In addition, French wine and cognac pairings will be provided by Wine Adventures and Cognac Ferrand.

“Paris by the Lake” admission is $150 per person for the general public, and $125 per person for LUMA members. Individuals interested in buying a ticket for the gala and becoming a LUMA member can do so for $175. To register, please call 312.915.7662 or visit LUC.edu/luma.

French Theme at LUMA
This summer, LUMA takes on a decidedly French theme with the opening of two impressive shows: Rodin: In His Own Words—Selections from the Iris and B. Gerald Cantor Foundation and Paris–Chicago: The Photography of Jean-Christophe Ballot – An Architectural Dialogue. Both shows open to the public on Saturday, June 13, and close on Sunday, August 16, 2009.

Rodin: In His Own Words—Selections from the Iris and B. Gerald Cantor Foundation is a traveling exhibition that has toured the United States since 2004, and is now making its final stop at LUMA. The renowned exhibition, organized by the Iris and B. Gerald Cantor Foundation, brings together 36 of Auguste Rodin’s bronze sculptures, which present a vibrant image of Rodin’s important artistic legacy when paired with his published writings and original letters. The exhibition also includes a 10-part educational program illustrating the lost-wax casting process, four books, two letters, and large canvas photo murals. A film on the creation of Rodin’s masterpiece, The Gates of Hell, will be shown throughout the exhibition.

Gala and exhibition sponsors include Bistro 110, Bistrot Margot, Bistrot Zinc, Cook-Au-Vin, French Pastry School, Cyrano’s Café and Wine Bar on the River Walk, Cognac Ferrand, Wine Adventures, Argo Tea, Baxter International Inc., and the Illinois Arts Council.

About LUMA
The Loyola University Museum of Art, opened in October 2005, is dedicated to the exploration, promotion, and understanding of art and artistic expression that attempts to illuminate the enduring spiritual questions and concerns of all cultures and societies. As a museum with an interest in education and educational programming, LUMA reflects the University’s Jesuit mission and is dedicated to helping men and women of all creeds explore the roots of their own faith and spiritual quest. Located at Loyola University Chicago’s Water Tower Campus, the museum occupies the first, second, and third floors of the University's historic Lewis Towers on Chicago's famous Michigan Avenue. For more information, visit the museum’s Web site at LUC.edu/luma.

Art illuminating the spirit!

-LUMA-