Terrain Meets Terroir: MoFA Fundraising Event Brings Fine Art Lovers Together over Fine Wine

A MoFA Intern discusses “Shapes Shifting” with guests.

The Florida State University College of Fine Arts hosted “Terrain Meets Terroir: A Roaming Art & Wine Tour” on Thursday evening, December 8, at the Museum of Fine Arts.

More than 75 guests attended the fundraising event, which celebrated the closing of two premiere exhibitions. “Boundless Terrain” featured the work of MacArthur Genius Sky Hopinka, Tallahassee-raised Allison Janae Hamilton, Doug Balous, Shoog McDaniel and more. The pop and color of internationally-renown modernists Alexander Calder, Domingo García, Max Ernst and others was featured in “Shape Shifting: 35 Years of Late Modernist Prints.”

Wine tasting stations were set up throughout the galleries, paired to highlighted pieces of art by sommelier Amanda Morrison of Poco Vino. Limited edition wine totes were available to purchase at the event, with a choice of bottles from the evening. Guests were also treated to commemorative photos in front of an event backdrop featuring Shoog McDaniel’s photography.

Guests included FSU President Richard McCullough and First Lady Jai Vartikar, who are avid art collectors themselves. Men’s Basketball Coach Leonard Hamilton joined guests in admiring the work of many artists, including that of his daughter Allison Janae Hamilton. Several members of the College of Fine Arts Dean’s Advisory Council also came out to show their support for the museum.

Men’s Basketball Coach Leonard Hamilton joined guests in admiring the work of many artists, including that of his daughter Allison Janae Hamilton.

“We are excited by every opportunity to share MoFA’s wonderful exhibits,” said James Frazier, Dean of the College of Fine Arts. “This event was particularly special, because it brought together President Richard McCullough and First Lady Jai Vartikar, President of the Foundation Board Christopher Iansiti, Men’s Basketball Coach Leonard Hamilton, some of the University’s outstanding student leaders, many of our supporters and first timers to the museum, all gathered in the interest of art.”

Terrain Meets Terroir was the first fundraising event for FSU MoFA in three years. All proceeds from the event directly support museum exhibitions, community programming, student internships and more, and will match a major grant from the State Department of Cultural Affairs.

“Just this semester, the museum has served over three thousand FSU students,” said Meredith Lynn, assistant professor and interim director of the museum. “Students from across the university – from areas as diverse as the College to Medicine to the Department of Modern Languages – used the collections and exhibitions of the museum to enrich their classroom experiences. Your donations help ensure that this incredible resource is available to generations of FSU students.”

FSU College of Fine Arts Dean’s Advisory Council members Cricket Mannheimer and Amanda Morrison teamed up with FSU Theatre Patrons Association President Laura Rogers to helm the Event Host Committee with the MoFA staff. Mannheimer, a dancer and art educator herself, mused that “Art is how we communicate to each other’s souls, whether it’s visual or performance. It’s the most powerful form of expression.”

“Partnering with the FSU Museum of Fine Arts to highlight artwork in its Boundless Terrain exhibit was a perfect fit for Poco Vino because we specialize in small production wines, most of which are grown organically or biodynamically.” said Amanda Morrison, owner of Poco Vino and member of the FSU College of Fine Arts Dean’s Advisory Council.

To learn more about the Museum of Fine Arts, visit MoFA.fsu.edu.

Poco Vino, located in downtown Tallahassee, is a wine bar, market and event space focused on small production, thoughtfully made wine from around the world. Learn more at PocoVinoWine.com.

Check out the gallery below for more guest photos!

Support the FSU Museum of Fine Arts all throughout the year at give.fsu.edu/museum.

This event would not have been possible without its sponsors:

Presenting Sponsor

Poco Vino

Canopy Sponsors

Christopher Iansiti & Michael Fornaro

Cypress Sponsors

Laura & Sam Rogers

Leonard & Claudette Hamilton

Live Oak Sponsors

Jennifer Guy-Hudson & Matt Hudson

Doug & Cricket Mannheimer

Ida & Elyse Thompson

Bob & Marcia Deeb Thornberry

Tracey Morgan Gallery, Asheville

FSU Museum of Fine Arts 2022/2023 Sponsors

Terry & Linda Cole

Meredith & Elsa McKinney

State of Florida Division of Cultural Affairs