A journey to the Galapagos Islands; excavating the ancient ruins at Pompeii; an underwater exploration uncovering the mysteries lying at the bottom of the Mediterranean Sea; retracing the very steps of the Odyssey. These are not just once-in-a-lifetime trips. These experiences, and many more, were all won by guests at last year’s Gala. Accompanying the excursions, which were offered in the spirited live auction, the evening’s silent auction gave guests the chance to bid on indigenous handicrafts along with other exclusive tours like an insider’s tour of Norway including a visit to a UNESCO site, crisscrossing Mexico and Guatemala visiting the ancient ruins of the Maya and a stay in the stunning Villa Aurelia at the American Academy in Rome.
This year, the Turkish theme was mirrored with a variety of artisan pieces as well as excursions not to be found elsewhere. From our circumnavigation of China complete with a personal tour of the Terracotta Warriors to a tour of Gordion, there was something to pique everyone’s interests. If you have questions, please contact Jennifer Klahn at jklahn@aia.bu.edu to inquire about your bid.
Each year hundreds of irreplaceable archaeological sites are destroyed by unrestrained development, looting, the vagaries of war, and environmental changes. With the help of gala attendees, we are able to preserve these sites for the future. As a part of the evening, a live pledge drive was held for our Site Preservation program. Proceeds raised at the Gala will fund AIA programs, including the AIA Site Preservation Grant Program. The AIA supports projects that combine innovative preservation techniques with community involvement and outreach to create sustainable preservation. Currently, the AIA supports twelve projects on five continents. Our most recent grants were given to projects in Kenya, Israel, and Mexico. Please support this critical mission to save our irreplaceable cultural heritage.
The live auction bidding concluded with our pledge drive for Site Preservation.
