By Jim Knippenberg
The Cincinnati Enquirer

Kristie Sheanshang of Indian Hill and Dave Loftland of Anderson Township admire the artworks in the Music Room of the Taft Museum of Art during a gala Thursday evening celebrating its reopening. The Cincinnati Enquirer/JEFF SWINGER

PHOTO GALLERY

The Taft Gala

SPECIAL SECTION

• Taft Museum reopening

"The grand lady of Pike Street is back in action."

That was the assessment of Taft director Phillip C. Long Thursday night at a gala celebrating the reopening of the Taft Museum of Art after a 2 1/2-year, $22.8 million renovation.

Wearing a cicada pin he insisted was from Tiffany's, Long said, "It's been frustrating to be out of commission so long. It's just great to be back."

More than 430 people, dressed in their finest, turned out for a $500-a-head party that began in the garden with no rain, no cicadas and a big sigh of relief from co-chairs Kate Lawrence, Rhonda Sheakley and Eileen Barrett. There were brassy fanfares, top-shelf cocktails and tony appetizers.

Guests moved on to dinner in a 12,000-square-foot tent that stretched from the front of the museum across the street and into the eastern tip of Lytle Park. The food, provided by Madeira's La Petite Pierre, included grilled black-bean salmon, beef tenderloin with horseradish sauce and orange-blossom orzo with spring vegetables.

Accenting the white china on the tables were celery-green linens, 15-inch silver candlesticks and low silver bowls full of pink peonies and pink and white roses.

The celebrants later danced to New York's nine-piece Michael Carney Orchestra.

But the star of the evening was the renovated museum.

"The first look and I was in love with it. It really is a crown jewel of our city now," said Indian Hill socialite Maddy Gordon.

Covington businessman David Herriman, there with former Cincinnati Mayor Roxanne Qualls, agreed: "Magnificent."

"And just wait till the garden's in full bloom," said Qualls. "It's going to be spectacular."

Arts patron Melody Sawyer Richardson was awed as well.

"Everything is just about perfect. It really is a stunning job."

But the crowd ran a close second to the stellar rehab.

As philanthropist Joni Herschede said of her diamond choker, "I get out the Harry Winstons once a year and only for events like this. You know, this grand old house never looked better."

Kim Klosterman, of the baking family, wearing a 3-inch-wide diamond bracelet, echoed Herschede: "If you can't drag this stuff out tonight, when can you?"

You knew the crowd was giving its all when Saks general manager Ina Levinson said, "We had a mob of people in today shopping for last-minute shoes, accessories, even dresses."

Artist Sherie Marek, fresh from two weeks in Africa, wasn't one of the last-minute shoppers. She designed her dress - blue silk taffeta, off the shoulder, with a bustier and shawl - and then hired a seamstress to make it.

Gordon's pale-blue, Oriental silk strapless Rena Lange gown and matching shawl with white embroidered flowers was a gift from her stepchildren.

Youth Opportunities Unlimited exec Cynthia Muhlhauser showed up in a blue silk strapless gown with a ruching bustier and a black pair of spiked Manolo Blahnik's.

Among the other guests were George Warrington, whose grandfather was at the gala that opened the museum in 1932; Fifth Third CEO George Shaefer and wife Betty; Cinergy exec Joe Hale and wife Linda; American Financial Corp. exec Jim Evans; interior designer Patrick Korb and pal Barbara Hahn; Channel 12 GM Chris Shering and wife Allison, who complained that Chris wasn't home when she dressed so the "valet parking guy had to zip me up.

"Isn't that nice? They thought of just about everything here."

Gala events

Here are other weekend events celebrating the Taft's reopening:

• 11 a.m.-5 p.m. today: Members (only) preview. 684-4526 for information.

• 6-9 p.m. today: Members' Opening Party with Ohio Gov. Bob Taft, five generations down from family founders Alphonso Taft and M. Louise Torrey. Reservations required: 241-0343, ext. 40.

• 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday, noon-5 p.m. Sunday: Mayor Charlie Luken cuts the ribbon at 11 a.m. Saturday, then it's free admission both days. Timed-entry tickets issued on a first-come, first-served basis. Call 684-4526 for information.

Stephanie Hackett contributed to this report