This Saturday, April, 26 marked the 57th annual Beaux Arts Ball. The ball was held at the Jacksonville High School Bowl at 7:45 with a reception at the Strawn Art Gallery immediately following the conclusion of the coronation ceremony. Here there was a receiving line for the senior participants and the queen. The Queen’s dance was then held at the Jacksonville Country Club.
Each year, the sons and daughters of families that are affiliated with the Art Association of Jacksonville participate in the Beaux Arts Ball, which is a fundraiser. Participants include kindergarteners, junior maids and junior gentlemen (eighth graders), and senior maids and senior gentlemen (high school seniors).
Girls who previously participated in the ball and are currently a junior or senior in college are eligible to be crowned the Beaux Arts Ball queen. Each year’s queen remains a secret until the night of the ball. Then all the younger participants bow to their queen and are introduced to the audience. Last year’s queen was Kate Fox and this year, Hallie Fergurson was crowned. The senior maids have an elaborate bow that is annually one of the highlights of the ball.
This year’s theme, which was chosen by co-chairmen Nancy Thorsen and Lori Hartz, was “Tranquil Tides.” Throughout the ball, the influence of oceans, water, and marine life in art were described and explained by the masters of ceremony, who was Bob Chipman this year. The set was also ocean themed with shades of blue, green, and coral.
Finally, the 2014 queen and her court performed one final bow before the seniors and either their mother or father dance off the stage to the queen’s song choice, which this year was “Songbird” by Fleetwood Mac.
This year’s Beaux Arts Ball went by smoothly and beautifully thanks to all the people who helped.