Bacchanalia benefits K-12 all the way to the collegiate level

Set in the picturesque Laguna Gloria, while the peacocks watched gracefully from the rooftops, Austin Museum of Art (AMOA) held its 19th annual Bacchanalia, La Dolce Vita, on Oct. 16.

La Dolce Vita was a fundraiser with over 50 of Austin's premiere restaurants who donated and served delectable victuals. Over a dozen of Texas' local wineries, vineyards, and spirits producers offered tastes of their labors, and over 60 varietals of wine were offered and poured by Twin Liquors Fine Wine and Spirits.

The Bacchanalia was kicked off by everyone participating being given an empty wineglass emblazoned with the event's logo and a tray designed to hold the glass while sampling the fare. People wandered from booth to booth sampling various courses, desserts, and wine.

The lamb chop topped with fondue from Roaring Fork was the most notable dish, and the Lavielle Ferme Cotes du Ventoux Rouge 2006 was the tastiest wine.

All revelry aside, AMOA raised $75,000 to support its education and exhibition programs.

AMOA offers unpaid internships for college students and as of now the museum collaborates with Austin Community College, University of Texas at Austin, and Texas State at San Marcos with a variety of art classes.

AMOA offers over 300 Art School classes taught out of Laguna Gloria.

ACC's collaboration with AMOA includes such courses as Drawing, Painting, Life Drawing, and Ceramics. These courses are currently offered at RGC, PIN, NRG, FBG, and RRH.

Shilpa Bakre, director of Marketing and Public Relations for AMOA said, "As an art museum, AMOA's general goal is to educate our visitors, in both our community and beyond, in the many ways that art can impact their lives."