Murren, Curtis honored at Nevada Arts Advocates gala

Nevada Arts Advocates presented its 12th annual Arts Advocacy Awards gala on Jan. 22 at Aria.

Nevada Arts Advocates exists to encourage Nevadans to participate in and enjoy the arts. The group develops and supports cultural and educational activities designed to sustain funding and foster appreciation of the arts.

The 2011 gala honored MGM Resorts International Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Jim Murren for art at CityCenter, and the event celebrated the life of the late actor Tony Curtis.

The dinner chairmen were Rino Armeni, Sandy Peltyn and Felix Rappaport.

Green Valley High School orchestral students, under the direction of Shelley Burger, played musical selections during the cocktail reception as guests, including U.S. Rep. Shelley Berkley, Gayle Anderson, Karen and Morgan Cashman, Kendall and Hans Wallbro, Cindy Doumani, Sandi and Stan Saito, Parvin Jacobs, Eileen Hayes, Carolyn Sparks, Jerry Engel, Toni Carpenter and Bud Pettengale, participated in the silent auction. Large crystal globes of white roses decorated the dining tables for the 300 guests.

Before dinner, the University of Nevada, Las Vegas Collegiate Ballroom Dancers performed.

Mistress of ceremonies was KTNV-TV, Channel 13 news anchor Tricia Kean. She introduced Patrick Clary, Nevada Arts Advocates president, who spoke on government support being vital for the arts as well as continuing support from the private sector. A video produced by Bob Cummings was shown featuring the art within CityCenter. Murren was unable to attend the gala.

Rino Armeni of Armeni Enterprises and Clary presented the bronze award -- created by artist Joe Palermo -- to Sven Van Assche, MGM senior vice president of design and architecture, who accepted on Murren's behalf.

A video based on the life of Tony Curtis was shown. Felix Rappaport, president and chief operating officer of The Mirage, was joined by Randy Soard, Nevada Arts Advocate vice president, in presenting posthumously the 2011 Tony Curtis Legend Award (a crystal piece by Leslie Rankin) to his wife, Jill VandenBerg Curtis.

More guests attending were Marie Claire Armeni, Louise Rappaport, Barbara and Mike Orozco, RJ Peltyn and Bianca Faretta, Joan Dimmitt, Susan Houston, Roger Buehrer, Margaret Casey, Mikey Bilbray, Shannon Bilbray-Axelrod, Diane Clary, Kris and Rob Sheridan, Kim Russell, Senad Hrustanovic, Wynn Schottelkorb, Harriet Trudell, Rene Rampton, Mike Haws, Julie Gilday Shaffer and Vince Shaffer, Trish Williamson, Rick Hergott, Audrey Smith, Cindy Fox, Marie Ascolillo, Tim Young of the Reno Philharmonic and Angie Wallin, Nevada Arts Advocates executive director.

The Mellowtones, a 17-piece big band, played for dancing.