A Plein Air Affair

Peripatetic accountant Frank McGinity opened the gates of his charming historic Riven Rock estate for An Artful Affair for 135 guests and organized by the Art Foundation of Santa Barbara.

Nine local artists – Ralph Waterhouse, Chris Chapman, John Iwerks, Danuta Bennett, Chris Potter, Ann Sanders, Patricia Post, Ray Hunter, and Andrea Anderson – and their works were featured and sold, while attendees noshed on sumptuous fare catered by the historic Santa Barbara Club and quaffed wine and champagne from Gretchen Lieff and myriad other purveyors.

Foundation trustee John Doordan emceed the boffo bash while Frank presented a fascinating history of his home, formerly the Stanley McCormick 84-acre estate, founders of the International Harvester Company.

A quick draw landscape by Montecito and Santa Barbara gallery owner, Ralph Waterhouse, was snapped up for $750, while car collector Dana Newquist exhibited his magnificent 1937 Talbot Lago coupe.

Among the artsy crowd were Maria McCall, Katherine Murray-Morse, Brendon Twigden, Sigrid Toye, Dirk Brandts, Hiroko Benko, Gretchen Lieff, Anne Luther, Lois Kroc, Erin Graffy, George and Laurie Leis, Peter and Kathryn Martin, Alice Van de Water, Diane Waterhouse, Keith Moore, Arthur Swalley, Debbie Geremia, and Rick Oshay and Teresa Kuskey.