Museum Fundraiser Celebrates Art and Chocolate

Submitted by Kerynn Fisher
Phone: (907) 474-6941
04/07/03

Chocoholics and art lovers won’t want to miss the University of Alaska Museum’s Chocolate Bash this year. The next opportunity to indulge in an evening of chocolate desserts at the museum won’t come around again until the new wing opens.

The Museum’s 18th annual Chocolate Bash will be held on Saturday, April 12 starting at 7:30 p.m. The popular Museum fundraiser draws more than 300 guests each year to enjoy an evening of decadent desserts and sparkling drinks from local restaurants and caterers. From liqueur-injected strawberries to white chocolate mousse tarts and mini-cheesecakes, the event has something to satisfy every sweet tooth.

"The Chocolate Bash has become a rite of spring in Fairbanks," says Museum Director Aldona Jonaitis. "Chocolate is a delicious excuse for a fund-raiser and we’re lucky to have the support from the community to make it a success."

This year’s theme, Chocolate Art in the Golden Heart, was selected to highlight both Fairbanks’ centennial and the Museum’s current special exhibit, New on View. Installed especially for the Chocolate Bash, the exhibit features 24 recent additions to the Museum’s Fine Arts collection. It includes works by well-known artists such as Rusty Heurlin, Sam Kimura, and Kesler Woodward, as well as newcomers to the Museum’s collections such as Lena Amason, T. Michael Croskrey, Sonya Kelliher-Combs and Sara Tabbert. Together, the works give visitors an appreciation of the range of art created in Alaska and a preview of the types of art to be displayed in the future Rose Berry Alaska Art Gallery. Art aficionados won’t want to wait to see the exhibit -- New on View closes on April 13 to make way for construction on the new wing.

Chocolate Bash attendees will recognize Ken DeRoux’s Across the Void from this year’s Chocolate Bash postcard. The oil painting served as the backdrop for Chocolate Decadence, a cake made by Westmark Fairbanks Hotel chef Luis Manuel Martinez. Along with the Westmark, local establishments Biscotti, Desserts First, Fairbanks Princess Riverside Lodge, Five Star Catering/The Espresso Deli, Hot Licks Homemade Ice Cream, Lavelle’s Bistro, NANA Management Services, Pump House Restaurant, The Fudge Pot and UAF Tanana Valley Campus Culinary Arts Program are providing chocolate treats for the evening. Alaska Coffee Roasting Company, Coca-Cola of Alaska, North Pole Coffee Roasting Company, Odom Company, and Spring Alaska will provide beverages to complement the chocolate and to cleanse the palate between sweet treats.

In addition to the chocolate treats, guests for the evening will enjoy music by he Alaska Jazz Trio, and then dancing to tunes provided by Tri-Boss DJ Services. Alaska Airlines donated two round-trip domestic tickets for the door prize.

All proceeds from the evening benefit the Museum Endowment Fund, which supports acquisitions, field research, exhibits and educational programs and provides matching funds to secure outside grants. Tickets are $50 in advance, $60 at the door or $450 for a book of ten tickets ($50 off the per-ticket price) and may be purchased by phone (474-7505) or in person at the University of Alaska Museum. Guests must be 21 or older to attend.

For more information, contact Kerynn Fisher, UA Museum Communications Coordinator, at 474-6941.