PALM BEACH, FL., March 4, 2008--Once more, the chairwomen for the Armory Art Center’s Mad Hatter’s Tea Party have earned a hats-off salute. Annie Falk, Marie Samuels and Tracy Stern planned another over-the-top tea party, held at Club Colette on March 4th. Guests arrived in hats ranging from mild to most wild, to bid on one-of-a-kind hand-made teapots in the event’s silent auction. The room was awash in pink, plum and fuchsia, and the tables’ teapot centerpieces had Cheshire Cat "tails" spilling out of them onto the tables. The cocktail hour kept tea partiers happy with the event’s signature "tea-tini," courtesy of Tracy Stern SALONTEA, and the fabulous lunch kept the party theme with “drink me” written in crème fraiche on the appetizer toasts. "Once again, this luncheon was an overwhelming success," said Nancy Lambrecht, event co-chair and board member for the Armory. "The guests really went all-out with their hat decorating, from feathers and fur to moving gardens, we saw a wide range of designs." During the luncheon, fashion icon Iris Apfel, with the help of milliner Anne Moore, took note of all the outrageous hats. As hat judges for the luncheon, Apfel and Moore awarded “Most Wild and Wacky Hat” to Leslie Linder, “Most Fascinating Hat” to Jeanne Martin, “Most Artistic Hat” to Brian Somerville (last year’s “Wild and Wacky hat champion), “Most Stylish Hat” to Martha Gschwend, “Most Creative Hat” to Amelia Ostrosky and “Most Fashionable Hat” to Jasmine Horowitz. Prizes were courtesy of Elizabeth Scokin’s Haute Hostess Aprons, Anushka Spa and Salon, Anne Moore Hats and Tiffany & Co. The funds raised during the Mad Hatter’s Tea Party benefit the Armory’s Artists-in-Residence programs in ceramics, painting and drawing, sculpture, printmaking and jewelry. "Our goal this year, besides having fun, was to raise enough to add more artists-in-residence programs at the Armory," said Falk. “I am proud to say that we accomplished our goal and will review the programs that can most benefit from these incredible creative resources. We thank our sponsors and everyone who supported this event.” This year’s honorary Chairwoman was Paula Butler, and Co-Chairs were Nancy Lambrecht and Jan Willinger. Sponsors included Wachovia Wealth Management, Annie Falk, Mary & Robert Montgomery, Everyday Tiaras, Tracy Stern SALONTEA, Palm Beach Illustrated, Tiffany & Co. and Elizabeth Scokin’s Haute Hostess Aprons. Palm Beach Cancer Institute was a Tea Pot sponsor and Tea Cup sponsors included Linda Silpe, Ann Brown, Kara Ross, Ken and Patricia Santucci and Marsha and Stephen Rabb. With over 20 years of artistic excellence serving the community, the Armory Art Center is a not-for-profit community-based visual arts center providing opportunities for individual growth, self-expression, increased awareness and appreciation of the arts through participation in studio, exhibition, lecture and other educational programs. The Center seeks to educate, enrich and engage a diverse population through the "experience of art." The Armory Art Center is sponsored in part by the State of Florida, Department of State, Division of Cultural Affairs, the Florida Arts Council, and the Palm Beach County Tourist Development Council. For more information contact Jennifer C. Cox | Armory Art Center | 1700 Parker Avenue, West Palm Beach, FL 33401 |Tel: 561-832-1776 x14 | web: http://www.armoryart.org | e-mail: jennifer.cox@armoryart.org Photo Credit: Lucien Capehart Photography