A Fitting Fête for a Lady

The Westmont Ridley-Tree Museum of Art and Westmont Music Department threw a grand party on Jan. 3 in honor of the late Lady Leslie Ridley-Tree, whose generosity benefited not only the college but the entire Santa Barbara community. The Westmont String Quartet played as celebrants enjoyed champagne and crêpe while taking in the stunning ocean view from the home of Paris-born Allison Armour, a sculptor whose gleaming glass ball fountains and stainless-steel creations added delightful magic to the coastal panorama.

Judy L. Larson, Askew professor of art and museum director, President Gayle D. Beebe, and Siegwart ‘Zig’ Reichwald, Adams professor of music and worship, reflected on Ridley-Tree’s impact. 

Wesley Park, a concert classical guitarist and educator from Los Angeles, performed songs by Camille Saint-Saëns and Claude Debussy before being joined by the Westmont Chamber Singers directed by Daniel Gee. The performance featured Gee’s premiere of “Sentez et Voyez,” based on “Taste and see that the Lord is good,” from Psalm 34:8.

The party, aptly named Le Jardin des Artistes, was held in conjunction with the current exhibition, Camille Corot to Orthodox Icons: Lady Leslie Ridley-Tree’s Gifts to the Collection, which is in the art museum through March 23.