The Nathan Manilow Sculpture Park on the campus of Governors State University will be the place to be for health-food advocates on the evening of Sept. 9, when park executives will host their first farm-to-table dinner celebration.
The Sculpture, Wine and Dine fundraiser committed to preserving the park’s community and educational programs will be catered by Limelight Catering, known for its for “passion for sustainable green practices.”
The Nathan Manilow Sculpture Park is already celebrated as an outdoor sculpture park, offering world-class large public art and a commitment to inspiring visitors to experience nature and art in new and unconventional ways.
“It’ll be an elegant dinner set outdoors with views of sculpture park,” Curator and Director Jeff Stevenson told the Will County Gazette. “We want visitors to interact with a world-class sculpture park, and one of the overall ideas is to attract more people to the park.”
The artfully coordinated event will be hosted by Wayne Johnson, known for NBC's "Wayne’s Weekend" and as winner of The Today Show's "Domestic Diva" contest.
“The event is sculptured in a natural setting, catering and presenting food in a natural way that are parallel to one another,” Stevenson said. “We’re hoping to send the message that the sculpture park is a resource of the community. Our goal is to preserve and activate it as a natural setting for interaction and inspiration.”
Tickets for the event are $125 per person, and guests are invited to hang around for an Afterglow Party that includes live music, wine, coffee and dessert on the Patio near E Lounge.
Guests will also be treated to the distinction of being among the first to preview the much-anticipated "Searching for Lady Day: A Portrait in Steel" documentary celebrating the work of noted sculptor Mark di Suvero.
Di Suvero’s "Yes, for Lady Day" sculpture that sits on a hilltop in a prairie just south of the city has long been a favorite among park visitors. The sculpture was a gift from philanthropist Lewis Manilow and honors Billie Holiday.
Limelight Catering is known for its “walking the walk” commitment to a strict green mission. The franchise prides itself on a socially responsible farm-to-table approach created with sustainable ingredients.
Gates open at 3:30 p.m., and all meals are slated to be prepared by “Outstanding Culinarian” Chef Molly.