Fred Jones Museum brings four decades of history into focus at fundraiser

The Fred Jones Jr. Museum of Art (FJJMA) Association hosts its annual fall fundraising party from 8 p.m. to midnight Nov. 13 at Norman’s newly opened Legacy Park. But this year, the association visits the museum’s past with a modern twist during Silver Soirée: Join the Legacy.

Each year, the association holds a party for members of the museum, but since FJJMA recently became a free admission museum, the Silver Soirée is open to nonmembers.

Tickets include two complimentary beverages, admission to the first tier of the event and valet parking.

Melissa Scaramucci, Silver Soirée committee chairwoman, said the party is an evolution and unique for Norman.

“It’s been transitioning from a party to where we said thank you to our members and gave back for everything they gave us,” Scaramucci said. “Now we’re in a position, like 40 years ago, where we need to establish a strong community of supporters for the museum for acquisition and restoration.”

The night, filled with dancing, food, entertainment and art, will replicate the Silver Ball the association hosted in 1975. The association learned about the ball by looking through old files and found a scrapbook of the association’s lavish party. Scaramucci is excited that Silver Soirée will be more of a dancing and celebratory event honoring the museum rather than a seated dinner with a live auction.

“It’s a celebration of the history of the museum,” Scaramucci said. “We’re going to be highlighting acquisitions that the association has made over the past 40 years so people can really connect to that history.”

The evening will feature music from SquadLive band and DJ Nexus, along with performance artists and entertainers and a photo booth. Instead of a black-tie dress code, the group requests that guests wear their best silver attire. The event will be held in a gigantic, heated tent so people won’t be too chilly in the middle of November. Scaramucci said anything that’s silver is a part of the evening’s dress code.

“It could be anything, like Aspen glamour: Put on your fizzy Ugg boots and a silvery sparkly sweatshirt and come. Or you can put on your cocktail dress with a silver mink if that’s what you’re into,” Scaramucci said. “We want people to know it’s not a stuffy party. It’s you going out on a Saturday night, looking your fiercest.”

Funds from Silver Soirée go toward art restoration and contemporary art acquisitions for the museum.

Scaramucci said that with the purchase of a ticket, guests can vote on what they want their money to fund. She hopes this will further help the museum and association continue to engage with the community.

“I think it really helps for people to see where their money is going,” Scaramucci said. “It’s not just brick and mortar and that stuff. They get to have that fun, exciting part of building a museum that they can have a connection to and be a part of the legacy.”

Print Headline: Shining celebration, The Fred Jones Jr. Museum of Art Association brings four decades of history into focus with its fall fundraiser.

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