Spring Soiree - An Elegant Evening of Art, Jazz & Celebration

SPRING SOIREE

Saturday, May 16, 2026 | Lyme Art Association | 90 Lyme Street, Old Lyme, CT

Celebrate the season with the Lyme Art Association at our Spring Soiree, a festive evening of art, music, and community in support of one of the nation’s oldest arts organizations.

Held in LAA’s historic 1921 gallery building, this beloved annual fundraiser brings together artists, collectors, and friends for a joyful night filled with beautiful art, lively conversation, and springtime spirit!

The evening will feature:

  • Live jazz by the Steve Donovan Trio

  • Delicious cuisine by Gourmet Galley

  • A silent auction featuring Spring Forays, a vibrant still life by award-winning LAA artist Kelli Folsom

  • A curated raffle of art-inspired experience packages featuring cultural destinations, hotel stays, and memorable dining experiences
    (Raffle tickets: $20 each)

Whether you come for the music, the art, the company, or the chance to win a special getaway, the Spring Soiree promises a memorable evening celebrating creativity and community.

Event Tickets: $85 per person

  • Celebrate the arts in a beautiful setting. Enjoy an elegant evening in the Lyme Art Association’s historic gallery, surrounded by inspiring artwork and friends of the arts.

  • Experience live music and exceptional cuisine. Relax to the sounds of the Steve Donovan Trio while enjoying delicious fare prepared by Gourmet Galley.

  • Bid on a special work of art. The silent auction will feature Spring Forays by award-winning LAA artist Kelli Folsom.

  • Take a chance on unforgettable experiences. Our raffle will feature curated art-inspired getaway packages, including cultural destinations, hotel stays, and memorable dining experiences.

  • Support a treasured cultural institution. Your participation helps sustain exhibitions, educational programs, and the historic home of the Lyme Art Association.

 

5:00 pm – Doors Open
Guests are welcomed to the Lyme Art Association for cocktails, conversation, and live jazz by the Steve Donovan Trio. Enjoy delicious cuisine by Gourmet Galley, explore the galleries, and browse the silent auction and raffle offerings.

Throughout the Evening

  • Bid on the silent auction featuring Spring Forays by award-winning artist Kelli Folsom

  • Purchase raffle tickets for curated art-inspired experience packages

  • Enjoy music, art, and great company in LAA’s historic gallery

6:45 pm – Raffle Drawing
Winners of the evening’s raffle packages will be announced.

6:55 pm – Silent Auction Closes
Final bids are recorded and winning bidders will be notified.

7:00 pm – Event Concludes

Become a Spring Soiree Sponsor

Sponsors help make this special evening possible while supporting the exhibitions, educational programs, and historic gallery that have defined the Lyme Art Association for more than a century.

Platinum Sponsor – $5,000
Includes 8 reservations

Gold Sponsor – $1,000
Includes 4 reservations

Silver Sponsor – $500
Includes 2 reservations

Bronze Sponsor – $250
Includes 2 reservations

Sponsors will be recognized in event materials and promotions leading up to the Spring Soiree.


Founded as part of the historic Old Lyme Art Colony, the Lyme Art Association remains a vibrant cultural destination where artists and art lovers gather to celebrate creativity. Your participation helps ensure that art continues to thrive here for generations to come.

We look forward to celebrating with you.

All proceeds from this event benefit the Lyme Art Association’s educational programs and special projects.

Spring Soiree Raffle - Open to Everyone!

  • Take a chance on five unforgettable raffle packages to support the Lyme Art Association.
  • Choose where to put your tickets for a chance to win.
  • The drawing will be held at the Spring Soiree on May 16th at 6:30pm. Participants need not be present to win.
  • Purchase raffle tickets online or in person. Pick up your raffle tickets at the LAA front desk.
  • Online raffle ticket sales through May 15th.
  • Raffle tickets will also be available during the soiree.
  • Tickets are $20 each.

Buy your raffle tickets online or in the gallery. You choose where your tickets go!

Connecticut Shoreline Art & Music Escape: Experience the best of the Connecticut shoreline with an evening—and more—filled with art, music, and theater. Enjoy a one-night stay at the Old Lyme Inn, followed by an unforgettable performance at the Side Door Jazz Club. Take in live theater with two tickets in May to Jesus Christ Superstar at Goodspeed Musicals (May 28 at 7:30 pm in the center 103 and 104), and explore the rich artistic heritage of the region with passes to the Florence Griswold Museum and a special visit to the Slater Memorial Museum, including a docent-led tour. A perfect blend of culture, history, and relaxation—right in the heart of the Lyme Art Colony. Estimated Value: $700 | Cultural Value: Priceless

Berkshires Art & Culture Getaway: Williamstown & North Adams, Massachusetts; Escape to the Berkshires for a weekend immersed in world-class art and scenic beauty. This package includes admission for four to The Clark Art Institute and two passes to MASS MoCA, two of the region’s most celebrated cultural destinations. Complete your visit with a $500 gift card to The Porches Inn at MASS MoCA, offering a stylish and comfortable home base for your stay. A perfect getaway for art lovers seeking inspiration in one of New England’s most iconic cultural landscapes. Estimated Value: $650 | Cultural Value: Priceless

Hudson Valley Artists’ Retreat: Hudson River School Country; Step into the landscapes that inspired America’s first great art movement. Enjoy a year of access and special benefits at Olana, the home of Frederic Church, and the Thomas Cole National Historic Site, with dual-level membership privileges. Complement your visit with a $500 gift card to The Wick Hotel, a boutique Hudson hotel. This thoughtful package invites you to explore art, nature, and history in one of the country’s most beautiful and storied regions. Estimated Value: $715 | Cultural Value: Priceless

New York City Art Insider Experience: Manhattan Cultural Escape; Discover New York City through an insider’s lens with this exceptional arts-focused getaway. Enjoy a two-night stay at the Moxy Hotel June 17-18 and a memorable evening at the historic Salmagundi Club, including dinner for two with wine. Through a special industry connection, you’ll also have the opportunity to secure two premium Broadway tickets—some of the best seats in the house—at face value (approximately $200 per ticket). An unforgettable blend of art, culture, and city energy. Estimated Value: $2,100 | Cultural Value: Priceless

Newport & Coastal Rhode Island Escape: Newport & Westerly, Rhode Island; Experience the beauty and artistic heritage of coastal Rhode Island. Enjoy admission for four to one of the grand properties of the Preservation Society of Newport County, along with passes to both the Newport Art Museum and the Westerly Museum of American Impressionism. Complete your getaway with a $500 gift card to FORTY 1° NORTH, an elegant modern waterfront hotel in historic Newport. A delightful combination of seaside elegance, history, and art. Estimated Value: $715 | Cultural Value: Priceless

Gold Sponsors

John & Sue Beatty

Silver Sponsors

Debbi & David Goodman

Sarah Stifler Lucas

Jeffrey Mehler

Gail & David Zuckerbraun

Bronze Sponsors

Del-Bourree & Kristen Bach

Eugene Blomberg

Dr. & Mrs. Timothy Braatz

Maura Cochran

Michael Fox

Mary Guitar

Robin Hammeal-Urban

Molly Moser

Leslie Rawlings

Martha & David Rogers

Ceal Swift

The Shark PLLC

Lorraine Yurkewicz

"The Shark PLLC would like to thank LAA for bringing joy and beauty into reality."
- The Shark PLLC

In-Kind Sponsors

Click the below button to see images from last year’s Spring Soiree.

Sea & Sky Soiree Committee