Begun 14 years ago as an exhibition to celebrate the intersection of food and art, The Art of Food has evolved into a major fundraiser for one of Northern Kentucky’s leading arts venues, The Carnegie.
The event returns Friday, Feb. 21 for another year of celebration with a new twist: a sit-down dinner.
“Rather than do food by the bite, this year we’re going to focus on an intimate sit-down meal where people can take in the experience and enjoy the art around them,” says Kimberly Best, executive director.
For one night, The Carnegie will transform into “Art of Food 2020: Family Style.” The Carnegie will be celebrating with a curated sit-down dinner experience, benefiting the exhibition of emerging local and regional artists in The Carnegie Galleries.
The event’s five-course meal will be presented in partnership with five local chefs and restaurants: Scotty Berens of Dead Low Brewery, Doug Faulkner of Dojo Gelato, Tony Ferrari of Fausto, Steve Waddell of Jeff Thomas Catering, as well as Stephen Williams and Mitch Arens of Y’all Hospitality. Options will also be provided by: Coffee Emporium, Cutting Edge Selections, and Sixteen Bricks.
“The Art of Food has continued to evolve since its inception 14 years ago,” says Exhibitions Director Matt Distel. This year’s iteration will be “a dynamic family-style environment promoting community through the use of interactive visual art, performers, installations, and, of course, food,” he says.
The event has grown steadily since it was started, expanding into The Carnegie’s front plaza space, and attracting about 700 people.
“It became a signature popular event,” Best says. “It’s the sole fundraising event for The Carnegie gallery.”
“This year, we wanted to rethink and do something people are used to, but with a twist,” Best says.
The Carnegie is Northern Kentucky’s largest multidisciplinary arts venue, providing theatre events, educational programs and art exhibitions. The facility, housed in a former Carnegie library on the National Register of Historic Places, is home to The Carnegie Galleries, the Otto M. Budig Theatre, and the Eva G. Farris Education Center.
Tickets, if still available, include dinner, wine/beer pairings, and entertainment. Single tickets are $125, couples’ tickets are $240 and host packages are available for $475 (includes four tickets). Go online at thecarnegie.com, or call (859) 957-1940 to check availability.
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