A world-famous architectural wonder in New Canaan- the primary National Trust for Historic Preservation Site in Connecticut- is preparing to hold its sole annual fundraiser.
The Glass House will host its popular event, “The Summer Party,” on June 6.
The party brings together people through art, dance, architecture and food, according to Kirsten Reoch, executive director of The Glass House.
“We modeled it on the 1967 ‘Country Happening’ that happened on our site when Philip Johnson hosted this party,” Reoch told NewCanaanite.com.
“We took that idea of having a sort of summer daytime picnic event that combines our own recreation and community building with performance art and visual arts,” she said.
The Velvet Underground played at that inaugural “summer party” at The Glass House in New Canaan, Reoch noted. The modern-day event features many works of art, dance and music, she said.
“We will have an exhibition of works of art by contemporary artists that will be on auction,” Reoch said. “And we will also have a dance performance and music which is being curated by a company called Saint Heron.”
Saint Heron to perform at this year’s Summer Party. Credit: The Glass House
Just 50 tickets remain unsold for the big party, she said.
This year, there will be many special pieces at The Summer Party, including high-quality furniture, according to Reoch.
“We’re working with Knoll, the furniture company,” she said. “They’re swapping out furniture that is museum-quality and they’re putting them back in contemporary fabrics and upholstery.”
Reoch continued: “It’ll be the one time only for visitors to sit in a Barcelona chair by Mies van der Rohe exactly where Philip Johnson set it up, and you’ll have that personal experience of what it would have been like to be in The Glass House back in the day.”
The Summer Party is crucial to The Glass House’s operations, as it’s the nonprofit organization’s largest fundraiser of the year, and the only permitted on-campus under its zoning permit.
Past art featured in The Summer Party. Credit: The Glass House
“It supports our artistic programs, our educational programs and our maintenance of this national historic landmark,” Reoch said. “It takes a lot to maintain the building and all of the different aspects of this site.”
In the past years, The Summer Party has received positive feedback about the gathering, which evolves each year, she said.
Though The Glass House pulls an international following of dedicated visitors, the organization also has worked hard to become part of the local community in New Canaan, and Reoch said “a huge amount of local folks” have supported The Summer Party since its inception.
“Land Rover Darien has given us support,” she said. “I’m also always excited to have Elm restaurant provide the food. I love their restaurant, it really is one of my favorites, for sure. We also have all of our plants, which are grown here locally. The way many local community friends and neighbors show up and support us each year shows how excited they are for this event.”
Asked why people should consider attending The Summer Party, Reoch said: “Early June is my favorite time at The Glass House. The landscape is stunning, and this year’s performance and art with our auction is just going to be outstanding.”