The fifty-ninth Jewel Ball, a benefit for The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art and the Kansas City Symphony, was held on June 15th at The Museum. Margaret Hall Pence (Mrs. William Keith Pence) served as the chairman. She wore an exclusive couture gown designed by Carlos Ramirez of Liancarlo. Procured through Halls Kansas City, the gown reflected the lovely ambiance of The Jewel Ball, her French blue gown was styled from Carlos’s signature firefly embroidery design, which featured a sweetheart neckline, Swarovski crystals, tulles from France, and a complimenting bolero. 

Kirkwood Hall looked magnificent as the family tables shimmered with blue sequined linens, and the proud mothers of the debutantes were seated in lucite Chivari chairs with sapphire blue dupioni silk cushions. Crowning the deep blue appliqued cloths on the dining tables were centerpieces of hand-blown glass vessels with variegated blue stripes, rippling like water. The main presentation stage showcased colorful, blooming begonias, kalanchoes, bromeliads, azaleas, and caladiums dotted with coral amaryllis and blue hydrangeas, creating a beautiful hedge along the perimeter of the stage. The Bloch Building had vibrant cobalt blue fish bowls filled with eremurus, gladiola, delphinium, lilies, deep red peonies, roses, allium, hydrangeas, and air plants. Oversized gold vases held tantalizing tropical leaves, casting vivid silhouettes against the luminous walls. Guests entering Rozzelle Court were treated to a gorgeous aquatic scene. The famous fountain was piled high with bright coral azaleas, yellow kalanchoe, variegated caladiums, lush ivy, fiery bromeliads, and topped with an umbrella of Australian tree ferns. Yellow rose petals and blue hydrangea blooms shimmered among the blue and green blown glass bowls that drifted in the pool below. The Rozzelle tables were topped with linens in deep-sea blues, purples and golds. Janet Russell (Mrs. William Hamer Russell) was the honorary chairman, and Ellen Darling (Mrs. Albert Darling, Jr.) was the vice chairman.  

Also featured in the July 27th issue of The Independent
Photo Credit: Strauss Peyton

Margaret Hall Pence, chairman