“The Art of Wine” at the Stunning Hilbert Museum: 2019’s Event – a Smashing Success!!

The Old Towne Preservation Association and the City of Orange are partnering to provide student interns to work with City preservation planners on projects involving Old Towne’s historic heritage.   To fund these year-round internships, OTPA hosted a special Art of Wine gala at the popular Hilbert Museum of California Art on Saturday evening, October 12, 2019 

And a gala evening it was, with more than 75 guests savoring 18 exceptional wines from four of California’s most noted boutique vineyards, all curated by Old Towne entrepreneur Wil Dee, owner of Haven, Provisions and Chapman Crafted Beer. 

Guests included Bill and former Mayor Tita Smith, Mayor Mark and Vickie Murphy, City Manager Rick and Kaylee Otto, Chief of Police Tom and Debbie Kisela,  Planning Commission member Doug and Susie Willits, and Design Review Committee member Ann McDermott.   Mark Hilbert was there, too, to welcome and speak about plans to expand the museum to space next door when the Chapman School of Dance moves out in 2020.    

It was an elegant evening with music by Disneyland’s Club 33 harpist, and remarks by Art of Wine Honorary Committee Chair Tita Smith, a close friend and collaborator of the late Anne Siebert.  Both were founders of the Old Towne Preservation Association, and instrumental in having Old Towne Orange listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Art of Wine host sponsors included Chapman University Community Relations as the primary sponsor, with host packages purchased by Tony Trabucco of Orange Realty, Adam Feliz of Touchstone Construction, and OTPA President Sandy Quinn.   

OTPA Board member Vickie Laughlin produced a fun “Surprise Prize” side fundraiser offering bagged surprise gifts at $40 each.  Premium gifts were available, too, at $100 each and included a magnum of Stokes Ghost Petite Sirah wine, a $300 Faberge Cordial set with port wine, and a watercolor portrait of the winner’s home.

A video was shown that described Siebert’s many civic contributions with tributes by her family and several Old Towne friends.