Themed “Star Style Glamour for the Home & Garden” and presented by the Weber Foundation, the event happens on Wednesday, November 13, 2024
The speakers for the 18th Annual A Writer’s Garden Symposium and Luncheon themed “Star Style Glamour for the Home & Garden” were revealed at a soirée hosted by Becky Burgett in her home which was chaired by Tammany Stern.
Guests were treated to a delicious charcuterie spread, hors d’oeuvres and desserts provided by Vestals Catering as everyone chatted about the upcoming big reveal. Therese Rourk, president of the Women’s Council of the Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden, welcomed the crowd and thanked Becky for graciously hosting the evening’s event.
Joni Krieg, A Writer’s Garden chair, then thanked Gold Crown Valet for donating their services for this evening’s event. She introduced Tonya Trest, event artist, who revealed the original artwork she created expressly for A Writer’s Garden and its theme, “Star Style Glamour For The Home & Garden,” to a rousing round of applause.
Joni announced the speakers for A Writer’s Garden will be Martyn Lawrence Bullard and Stefani Bittner. Martyn is a multi-award-winning British interior designer, author and television personality based in Los Angeles. Renowned for his broad range of styles and eclectic, yet sophisticated and inviting interiors. Martyn is the author of “Star Style” (Vendome Press, 2023), “Martyn Lawrence Bullard: Design and Decoration” (Rizzoli, 2016) and “Live, Love and Decorate” (Rizzoli, 2011). Stefani is the owner of Homestead Design Collective, a San Francisco Bay area landscape design firm focused on creating beautiful gardens that provide harvests in every season. Stefani is the author of “The Fragrant Flower Garden” (Ten Speed Press, 2024), “Harvest: Unexpected Projects Using 47 Extraordinary Garden Plants” (Ten Speed Press, 2017), “The Beautiful, Edible Garden” (Ten Speed Press, 2013).
Then came a most exciting announcement. Joni said, “I’d like to introduce my good friend, Garry Weber, who will serve as this year’s Honorary Chair and Presenting Sponsor. In addition, through his Weber Foundation, Garry has donated $100,000, the largest single donation ever to A Writer’s Garden, which will ensure this year’s event will be the most successful ever. Mr. Weber said he has always enjoyed the Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden and was honored to make this donation in support of A Writer’s Garden, A Woman’s Garden and the Women’s Council.
Dorothea Meltzer, Advisor, said that the recently completed restored and restyled Poetry Garden has a new addition of a mosaic fountain. This beautiful mosaic fountain will be named in honor of Garry Weber and the Weber Foundation in recognition of his most generous donation.
Donna Weitzman, Underwriting Chair, announced that there was already over $50,000 in underwriting sponsorships committed. In addition, she and her husband Herb are donating a magnificent sapphire and diamond necklace on behalf of their Cottonwood Market Antique Mall to the event’s live auction.
A Writer’s Garden happens on Wednesday, November 13, 2024 at The Dallas Arboretum’s Rosine Hall. Patrons at certain levels will be invited to a Meet the Authors Patron Party chaired by Jolie Humphrey and C’Mone Wingo with the featured speakers on Wednesday evening, November 12, 2024 at a private residence.
Patron tickets begin at $500 each up to $2,500. A limited number of individual tickets are available at $300. Table sales are available starting at $5,000. Sponsorships and Underwriting are available beginning at $500 up to $50,000 with different benefits at each level. Visit the Women’s Council website at www.wcdabg.org for more details and to purchase tickets, tables, underwriting and sponsorships.
ABOUT THE WOMEN’S COUNCIL: Celebrating its 42nd Anniversary.
Since 1982 the major goal of the Women’s Council has been the design, construction, funding and endowment of A Woman’s Garden, a principal garden at the Dallas Arboretum. A Woman’s Garden is the only public garden in the United States conceived by women, funded by the efforts of women and dedicated to the spirit of women. Celebrating its 41st year, the support of over 600 members of the Women’s Council makes possible the continued expansion and development of A Woman’s Garden. The Women’s Council is an all-volunteer, 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. www.wcdabg.org
ABOUT A WOMAN’S GARDEN: Celebrating its 27th Anniversary.
A Woman’s Garden is the only public garden in the nation conceived, constructed and maintained by the funding efforts of women. Ablaze with color in every season, A Woman’s Garden sits majestically as a living testament to the passion and vision of the Women’s Council founders and the boundless energy and devotion of its members whose commitment to creating a garden dedicated to the universal spirit of women across generations is realized in its inspired design. Our beautiful garden celebrates the power, creativity, resourcefulness, passion and unwavering commitment of the women who came before us and those entrusted with its care now, and into the future.
Photos by Thomas Garza