Meandering Around Town # 31: At the Museum
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AN ADVENTURE IN WHICH A FORMER MAYOR CONTINUES TO SEEK THE “SOUL” OF HIS HOMETOWN
The evening of January 24 was a glorious moment in the “City Beautiful.” Under a crystal-clear winter sky with warm breezes enveloping the dinner guests, the Coral Gables Museum hosted its annual gala. This year’s was entitled “The Next 100: Legacy and Vision,” reaching back with images of the last century and looking forward to our community’s future.
The black-tie gathering was full of dignitaries and local VIPs including the Museum Board chair and former Commissioner Chip Withers, Founding Chair George Kakouris, Executive Director Elvis Fuentes, Vice Mayor Rhonda Anderson, Commissioner Richard Lara, Miami-Dade Tax Collector Dariel Fernandez, former Mayor Raul Valdes-Fauli, former Commissioner Ralph Cabrera, Judge Javi Enriquez, Assistant City Manager Carolina Vester, and Coral Gables Chamber CEO Jorge L. Arrizurieta.
A portion of the celebratory event was devoted to honoring three individuals with the 2026 “Civic Arts Awards.” The honorees were Mary Snow, former president and CEO of the Coral Gables Community Foundation; Eduardo Otaola, vice chair of the Museum Board; and Jeannett Slesnick (posthumously), former city commissioner, chair of the Community Foundation, and founding secretary of the Museum Board.
Each were presented with an engraved trophy and a beautiful photograph of the Country Club Prado Entrance artistically enhanced by David Gary Lloyd, the photographer who won first place in the Museum’s most recent Capture Coral Gables photo contest.
An example of the wording on the trophies was the inscription on Jeannett’s, which read: “Whose lifetime of public service, philanthropy, and unwavering commitment to the people of Coral Gables set a standard of integrity and civic spirit that continues to inspire us.”
One of the principal goals of the event was to gather much-needed funds for the future operations of the Museum. In that respect, it was a grand success, raising approximately $150,000.
The gala included an elegant reception, a silent auction of unique art items, a gourmet dinner, and a vibrant after-party featuring a live band and kaleidoscopic lighting inside the main gallery. Exceptional events like this do not just happen; extensive planning and careful execution are required to achieve success. Thus, everyone who enjoyed the moment owes a sincere “thank you” to Gala Chair Nicolas Cabrera and his committee: Diane Amado-Tate, Ivette Arango O’Doski, Mayra Capriles, Mariana Guevara, Adam Hlavaty, and Tere Shelton Bernace.
In her acceptance remarks, Mary Snow eloquently summed up the special meaning of being honored by the Museum: “I grew up on these streets, attended school here, learned the values of community here – and now I have the joy of raising my own family here. This city shaped who I am, and it continues to shape what I care about.” What a wonderful way to greet Coral Gables’ second hundred years!
This column appears monthly by Don Slesnick, who served as mayor of Coral Gables from 2001 to 2011. If you have suggestions on where he should next meander in search of the city’s soul, email donslesnick@scllp.com.