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DAYTON — The tightrope walker, suspended high above the stage, is seen making his way across a thin wire. The crowd, gathered below, gazes up at him in anticipation.

It's that excitement and delight that Mary and Mark Pent hoped to capture when they chose artist Everett Shinn's dramatic painting as inspiration for the Dayton Art Institute's 51st annual gala, "Magic in the Air."

The black-tie social event, one of the Miami Valley's most elegant, was held on a balmy Saturday, June 14, at the museum and chaired by the Pents on their 28th wedding anniversary.

No clowns or acrobats showed up, but 720 museum supporters donned elegant gowns, tuxedos and glittering jewels to made their way from art galleries and cloisters to the Great Hall and Moonlight Terrace for cocktails, hors d'oeuvres, dinner and dancing, and a casino.

"It's my first Art Ball and I'm very excited!" said 20-year-old Sidney Bieser, the fourth generation in her family to feel an intimate connection to the museum. "And we're sitting in my favorite gallery!"

Surrounded by priceless artwork and seated at tables adorned with white hydrangeas and tulips, guests dined on petite filets, panko-crusted tilapia peperonata, sauteed roasted fennel polenta, chocolate mascarpone tart and sweet cream cheese spring rolls with fresh berries.

New museum director Jan Driesbach welcomed the crowd and late in the evening announced the results of the evening's vote for a new piece of contemporary glass that will be added to the collection as a result of the gala fundraiser.

She called the "Telestar Sphere" by American-born artist David Huchthausen, "a wonderful orb."

The special evening is planned and hosted by members of the DAI Associate Board, an organization of couples that also stages Oktoberfest.

Contact this reporter at (937) 225-2440 or mmoss@DaytonDailyNews.com.

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