Palm Royale: The Museum’s Gant Gaither Gala planned on Sept. 18

Hopkinsville native Gant Gaither, an artist known for whimsical paintings featuring animals, is the inspiration for the gala.

One of Hopkinsville’s most creative sons is the inspiration for Hopkinsville’s third annual Museum Gala.

Palm Royale: The Museum’s Gant Gaither Gala, presented by the Hopkinsville History Foundation in collaboration with the Museums of Historic Hopkinsville-Christian County, is set for Friday, Sept. 18, at the Pennyroyal Area Museum. 

A scarf by Gant Gaither featuring horses on ice skates.

RELATED: Gant Gaither’s scarves depict whimsical designs from one of Hopkinsville’s most creative sons

Gant Gaither

“After graduating from Hopkinsville High School, [Gaither], son of a local surgeon, studied abroad, opened a theater in Miami, worked as a producer in Broadway and Hollywood, and became great friends with celebrities like Grace Kelly,” the museum describes in a press release. “He settled in the resort community of Palm Springs, California, in the 1960s where he established himself as an artist. His whimsical designs featured animals of all kinds and were used as designs for textiles and home interior products. Guests are encouraged (but not required) to use the whimsical, resort theme as inspiration for their attire.”

The gala, in a nod to Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Met Gala, will begin at 6 p.m. with a grand promenade entrance and cocktail hour inside the Pennyroyal Area Museum. Dinner and music will follow at 7 p.m. 

RELATED: Gant Gaither, an artist and Hollywood and Broadway producer, grew up in Hopkinsville

“The event will also feature a special art installation inspired by items designed by Gant Gaither,” the release states. “The pieces that compose this unique “Create from the Collection” exhibition will be created by local artists and available for purchase at a silent auction during the event.”

More information about participating as an artist is available here

Tickets are $100 per person. Reserved tables with seating for eight people are $1,000. Tickets are available at the Pennyroyal Area Museum, 217 E. Ninth St., or online through Zeffy

Planters Bank is a major sponsor for the gala. Additional sponsorships are available. Information is available by calling the museum at 270-887-4270.

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