Photo: Michael Routhier, courtesy of AGB.

Last week at the Art Gallery of Burlington (AGB), some 400-plus people enjoyed art, music, food, and conversation at REVEL, an immersive experience and fundraiser for the gallery.

Guests were dressed in cocktail finery to take part in the revelry of REVEL, with DJ Cindy AO’s chill tracks, and DJs Grandmother Sago (Ben Ong) and Sahra Suda shaking things up in the Shoreline Room to get partygoers moving on the dancefloor. Luckystickz brought the sound of the Caribbean to the exhibition of Trinidadian artist Sybil Atteck’s work, while tarot reader and local artist Kiera (Kiki) Boult looked into the future for some lucky guests.

The event took place across the gallery; even the Living Library hosted a Black Light Collage Party, where guests made neon crafts with artist Charlie Star.

Left: the AGB’s assistant curator Jasmine Mander speaks with guests in the conservatory. Right: Guests enjoying charcuterie provided by Wandering Locavore, and a DJ set by Cindy AO. Photos: Michael Routhier, courtesy of AGB.
Guests making neon crafts with Charlie Star at the Black Light Collage Party. Photo: Michael Routhier, courtesy of AGB.

It wouldn’t be a party without food, and AGB aimed to highlight the “art” in culinary arts with food and drinks by a roster of local chefs: Vic Caterers and Bakery, charcuterie by the Wandering Locavore, Jonny Blonde, Chef Matteo of Spencer’s on the Waterfront, and Christy’s Gourmet Gifts. A live auction with professional auctioneer Don Stewart brought further entertainment.

Of course, it wouldn’t be an AGB event without some art, and REVEL set out to amp up the experience with immersive installations of light, sound, projection, and live performance. Featured artists included Omar Badrin, whose work mixes sculptural crochet and animation; queer interdisciplinary artist Tyler Matheson; Christopher Reid Flock, who mixes clay and traditional techniques with technology; and Stefana Fratila, whose recent work explores sound on other planets.

Left: partygoers including AGB Executive Director Emma Sankey (second right). Right: AGB Senior Curator Suzanne Carte chatting with guests. Photos: Michael Routhier, courtesy of AGB.
The main event space was filled with guests enjoying food, music, and art installations. Photo: Michael Routhier, courtesy of AGB.

Diana Lynn VanderMuelen’s “Viridis” was also installed in the AGB conservatory, complete with screens showing her three looping videos, sculptural flowers, and a number of sound installations.

Finally, there was Convergence, a short film created by ORXSTRA, a project by Alex McLeod and Tala Kamea that aims to engage the mind, body, and spirit. Convergence explores the primal origins of ceramics as found in outer space — a meeting of art and theoretical science.

By all accounts (check out the photos), AGB succeeded in its goal of creating an immersive, multi-sensory experience — combined with a lot of fun.