Watkins celebrates 125 years despite weather

Come rain or shine

Published On: May 27, 2010



We’ve all heard the classic Motown song “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough,” right? Well on one particularly stormy April evening, the folks at Watkins College of Art & Design could be heard singing, “ain’t no tornado strong enough,’’or at least we think they were probably thinking it. With a magnificent tent set up in front of the school, students, teachers, and supporters were all ready to party in the name of the school’s 125th Anniversary. But good ole Mother Nature had different plans—tornado warnings abounded and torrential rains ruined every good hair-do east of the Mississippi. With only a day before the event, everything in the tent had to be moved inside, God forbid a tornado were to strike.

Nonetheless, the party must go on. Bars were setup in makeshift nooks and crannies and the food was served out of the school’s small café area. It seemed that everyone indulged in the special drink of the evening, the Sam Watkins martini, in honor of the institute’s namesake. The tart, appletini-like potion lightened the mood and got everyone revved up to peruse the insanely cool art on display. Servers mingled about with trays of passed hors d’oeuvres, including a fig and Brie bite and rich cheese wafers. Caper’s Catering kept everyone’s hunger at bay until dinner later in the evening. Speaking of which, the Fisk Jubilee Singers had an amazing performance after cocktails were over.

Silent auction items dotted the maze of the school, which kept everyone on their toes. Guests were even given a map of the campus, just in case they had one too many Sam Watkins martinis and got turned around. Despite the inclement weather, a good crowd came out and had a blast. While enjoying the fabulous art, Walter Knestrick stated that he didn’t mind the weather and he was there to support this wonderful place. “We’re all arty as all get-out,” he said with a benevolent smirk. Thank goodness for people like Walter, who support their cause, come rain, snow or even tornados. MM

—photographs by
eric england