Philadelphia Art Alliance’s ‘Spring at the Mansion’

Spring is in the air and it was very evident at the Philadelphia Art Alliance’s “Spring at the Mansion” party held Friday night in the jewel of Rittenhouse Square, The Wetherill Mansion across from the blooming park.

Black was out, and colorful dresses and dapper suits were in. Guests enjoyed a cocktail party under a tent on the closed Rittenhouse Street adjacent to the Wetherill before being led into the mansion for a delicious dinner prepared by the newly opened French bistro Le Chéri, whose rooms were decorated with springtime colors and flowers by Evantine Designs.

At 8 p.m. the Young Friends of The Art Alliance began their party under the tent. They enjoyed delicious treats from DiBruno’s and an open bar, and danced to the tunes of DJ Serop. A portion of the proceeds from the event will benefit the preservation and restoration of The Wetherill Mansion, home of the Philadelphia Art Alliance and the oldest cultural institution on the Square. Co-chairs for the evening were Nicole Cashman and Nigel Richards.

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Art Alliance's Spring at the Mansion

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Chef Pierre and Charlotte Calmels opened French bistro Le Chéri inside the Philadelphia Art Alliance last fall. They prepared the night's cocktail party food and dinner.

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From left: Cecilia and Eugene Flock with Joan Hummel.

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Gino Cortopassi and Carol Tamburino.

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From left: Constance Devine, Franz Rabauer and Margie Devine.

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From left: Scott Barnes and Kristin Foote with Betsy and Holden Hummel.

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From left: Eric Lochner, Drew Becher, Linda Richardson, Susan Sherman, and Ellen Berman Lee.

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Jeffrey Devine, Young Friends event co-chair, and Gabrielle Federico.

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Carole Price Shanis, president emeritus of the Philadelphia Art Alliance, and Joseph Shanis

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From left: Steve and Tamar Olitsky with Devyn Gehret and Mark Nicoletti.

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Nicole Cashman and Nigel Richards, co-chairs of Spring at The Mansion. Nicole recently told her friends that she and Nigel are expecting a baby in October.

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From left: Alan Sandman and John Pesolar at a table beautifully decorated by Evantine Designs.

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From left: Marcellus and Jasmine Alexander with 6 ABC's Amanda Zavala and Kenneth Moton.

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From left: Ethan Blades, Young Friends event co-chair Randyl Case, and Ian M. Crumm.

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Mike Pickett and Amanda Shepard.

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From left: Leeza Garber, Kenneth Greenberg, and Anne Ravert.

HughE Dillon covers parties, events and more for Philadelphia magazine’s The Scene. You can follow him on Twitter at @iPhillyChitChat and visit his daily online social diary PhillyChitChat.com.