Mike Willis, owner of M. Willis Interiors, shares the history of an African artifact with Vernita Henderson.

M. Willis Interiors and the Annie Bolling Gallery in Oakley, in conjunction with the MBARE Co. of Zimbabwe and Eric and Jan-Michelle Lemon Kearney of the Cincinnati Herald, hosted a Celebration of African Art. The event benefited the Centre, a nonprofit organization in Zimbabwe that provides outreach programs to those living with HIV and AIDS.

The evening featured rare and interesting items available for purchase, including sculpture and handmade decorative items from the MBARE Co., African antiques and artifacts from collectors Sanussi Janneh and Hamidu Berete and the artwork of Corey Jefferson, Megan Jefferson and Aaron Jefferson.

The event, which included wine and hors d'oeuvres by Andiamo! Ristorante in Oakley, raised $1,000.

Ursuline Academy: St. Peter and the Vatican

Ursuline President Diane Castelli (from left) and event chair Susie Lame discuss the exhibit with Ursuline senior Libby Lame and John Lame.

Ursuline Academy of Cincinnati sponsored a private reception and viewing of the St. Peter and the Vatican: The Legacy of the Popes exhibit at Cincinnati Museum Center. Approximately 1,000 guests, including 418 Ursuline students and their families, attended.

Teachers at the 107-year-old private Catholic girls school incorporated the exhibition into their curriculum. The party, spearheaded by Susie Lame and her committee, consisted of a private viewing of the exhibition and a reception in the Union Terminal rotunda with light food from Elegant Fare. This party, sponsored by an anonymous donor, netted about $26,000, which will fund need-based scholarships at the school.

Cincinnati International Wine Festival Auction

Co-chairs John Mocker, Sherie Marek and Tom Maynard toast the opening of this year's International Wine Festival.

The more than 500 guests who paid $150 each for Cincinnati International Wine Festival Auction XIV arrived at the Hyatt Regency, downtown, to find - what else? - grape stompers, along with wine, food and silent and live auctions.

A collection of silent auction items ranged from champagne to Chanel. Under the gavel of wine auctioneer David A. Beaullieu, assisted by Alan Hills, this year's live auction offered guests weekend getaways, some of the world's best wines and an array of spectacular private dinner parties.

The wine auction is just the first cork to pop in the annual wine extravaganza. This year's International Wine Festival, presented by Delta Air Lines and co-chaired by Sherie Marek, John Mocker and Tom Maynard, continues Thursday-Saturday with tastings and dinners at Greater Cincinnati's finest restaurants.

The festival's centerpiece, the Grand Tastings, will be Friday and Saturday at the Albert B. Sabin Cincinnati Convention Center Ballroom, downtown.

Each year, the Cincinnati International Wine Festival benefits a host of nonprofit agencies. Among this year's recipients: AIDS Volunteers of Cincinnati, ALS Association Western Ohio Chapter, Cancer Family Care, Catholic Inner-City Schools Education, Children's Home of Northern Kentucky, Cincinnati Ballet, Dan Beard Council of Boy Scouts, Dress for Success and Emanuel Community Center.

Last year's Wine Festival raised more than $300,000. Information: 241-3434.