Oct 11, 2006

Cantor welcomes in 'Virgin Saints and Angels'

By Janet Duca Norton

The fall season at Stanford's Cantor Art Center opened with the premiere of a unique and colorful exhibition titled "The Virgin, Saints and Angels: South American Paintings 1600-1825 from the Thoma Collection." The 1,200 museum members and guests at the Sept. 20 reception glimpsed three centuries of life in the Spanish territories of South America - modern day Peru, Bolivia, Columbia, Ecuador, some of Argentina and Chile - through the pictorial tradition of religious paintings and portraiture.

Missionaries and government officials subscribed to the adage "a picture is worth a thousand words," so European painters were commissioned to produce religious paintings to aid the conversion to Catholicism. Native artists soon outnumbered European painters and forged a new style.

When Marilynn and Carl Thoma purchased a pair of portraits in 1998, it marked the beginning of an extensive collection. They have loaned 55 paintings for the exhibition. Marilynn Thoma said good fortune had a lot to do with the rapid growth of the collection. "We're glad to share these pieces, to bring attention to this heritage." It's the first North American exhibition to focus on the viceregal period.

Marilynn chose to be photographed with the exhibition's signature Peruvian painting "The Child Mary Spinning," saying it perfectly illustrated the theme of the exhibit, and featured unique South American costumes and jewelry, a headdress and shawl, plus an elaborate gold carved frame.

The Thomas and their collection curator Suzanne Stratton-Pruitt, Cantor's head curator Bernard Barryte, and Peruvian Consul General Nicolas Roncagliolo led the list of preview patrons. After viewing the exhibit, board president Fred Rehmus, board member Bill Reller, Cantor director Thomas Seligman, Libby Hulsey, Drew and Jane Lanza, Clayton and Nancy Bavor, and Cindy and Jeff Traum were among those sampling Latin themed hors d'oeuvres by caterer Jesse Cool in the Rodin Sculpture Garden.

The exhibit continues through Dec. 31 and will travel to Tuscon, Ariz, Puerto Rico, Canada and Austin, Texas.


HOMETOWN HEROES
The Community Services Agency, which has provided lifeline services to people in need in Mountain View, Los Altos and Los Altos Hills for the past 48 years, held its annual "Hometown Heroes" breakfast at Palo Alto's Crowne Plaza Hotel on Sept. 22.

About 260 friends and suppporters turned out to salute community volunteer Gisela Daetz and Microsoft TV. Each year, Community Services honors individuals and businesses for their work in carrying out the agency's mission to promote independence and self-sufficiency through direct service, advocacy and referral services.

Daetz, who grew up in postwar Germany, was honored for her work with the homeless through her leadership on the Alpha Omega Steering Committee and Housing First project. "There's always more to do. We can't say we've done enough," she said.

Peter Barrett, chief technology officer for Microsoft TV, acccepted the award on behalf of his and fellow Microsoft employees' support of the Food and Nutrition Center saying, "As engineers, we value practical solutions. We salute volunteers and your projects."

Agency executive director Tom Myers gave a startling statistic: One in 25 people are hungry in Los Altos and Mountain View. The importance of their work was illustrated by the story of 100-year-old Inez Cochran, who is able to live independently at home with the assistance of Community Services.

American Red Cross director Trish Bubenik discussed the partnership project with Community Services that aided 19 homeless Mountain View families in finding homes after they had been displaced by the 2005 Latham St. apartment fire.

Finally, keynote speaker Roy Lave, founder of the Los Altos Community Foundation, emphasized continued support and the need for a home for the Day Worker Program.
Early risers included Breakast co-chairs Bonnie Nunke and King Lear, former "Heroes" Debbie Wu and Jim Cochran, Rick Magnuson and board president Vera Baum.


HISTORY MAKER HONORED
The San Mateo County Historical Association honored Dr. Thomas Fogarty for his contributions to medical technology and entrepreneurship at the fourth annual History Makers Benefit. A record-setting 430 guests attended the sold-out Sept. 21 dinner at the Hotel Sofitel in Redwood City.

Fogarty was the logical choice for the recipient, as the newly opened "Entrepreneurs Who Changed the World" gallery at the San Mateo County History Museum carries his name.

After recounting Fogarty's pioneering, minimally invasive heart surgery device, his ownership of 100 surgical patents and founding of more than 30 companies, Allan Will gave a straight forward toast:"To Tom Fogarty, for better lives all around."

The Honorable Bill Lane and wife Jean, Greg Munks, Jenny Bolt, Umang and Ruth Gupta, Jamis and Margaret MacNiven, and emcee Bob Sarlatte toasted Fogarty.

Guest speaker Ronnie Lott revealed Fogarty's boyhood ambition was to become a professional boxer. Great focus, excellent hand-eye coordination and quickness are prequisites for surgeons and boxers.

Fogarty said his inventions were based simply on the premise that "There's a better way to do it." Fogarty's remarks concentrated on the theme of invention and planting the seeds of growth, and the importance of having the proper environment for fostering innovation.

On a lighter note, as founder of the respected Thomas Fogarty Winery, he said smiling, "Wine is not an alcoholic beverage; it is a health food."

Leading the applause were CEOs of Fogarty companies including Mel Schatz of Crux Biomedical and Steve Bacich of Arbor Surgical; Fogarty winemaker Michael Martella; Bob Mullen, owner of Woodside Vintners, with his wife Marsha Campbell; winemaker Brian Caselden; and Peggy Bort Jones, Georgi La Berge and Karen McCown.

Event chair Phil Raiser was pleased Fund-A-Need and the live auction raised $90,000 for the museum. A dinner for 10 with Fogarty at his winery was such a hot item that auctioneer Frank Bizzarro sold it twice - with a $19,000 price tag for each.

In addition to planning the event, Raiser is a collector, donor and member of the master mechanics team, which renovates old school buses and converts them to museums on wheels that tour local schools, and arranged for the history bus to be displayed at the reception.