Patrons of the Prado hosts benefit event to support cultural centers and theatres in Balboa Park
by Rancho Santa Fe Review
Marina Medvezeva, Michael Koumjian, Sonya Berg, Dana Dmitrieva
(Vincent Andrunas)
David Keith, Mary Powell-Penrith, Susan Davey, Erika and Michael Couris
(Vincent Andrunas)
Chris Lazich, Joyce Gattas, Marla Black, Jennifer Findley and Dr. Carl Findley III
(Vincent Andrunas)
Marc and Nancie Geller, Lynne Guidoboni, Jim and Ellen Moxham
(Vincent Andrunas)
Michael Connolly and Julie Gildred Connolly, Vivian and Harold Tuck
(Vincent Andrunas)
Susan and Jeff Polizzotto, Lauren Polizzotto, Monica Szkopiec, Sarina Keswani
(Vincent Andrunas)
Lynne and Max Guidoboni, Malissa Sanfilippo and Cici Drummond (2024 Masterpiece chairs)
(Vincent Andrunas)
Anthony and Sara Napoli, Dr. Steve and Lynne Wheeler, Karina Lion, Thom Tullis
(Vincent Andrunas)
Clint Bell (emcee/auctioneer), Michele Prescott, Dee Ammon, Maggie and Bob Watkins
(Vincent Andrunas)
Laura Applegate, Taylor Miller and Paul Mears, Bonnie Wright
(Vincent Andrunas)
Sally Oxley, LaVon Wageman (auction co-chair), Alice Cash (auction chair), Ann Hill (ICON committee chair), Kristi Pieper (former Masterpiece chair)
(Vincent Andrunas)
Minerva Rodriguez, Kennedy Stowe, Brett Conrad, and Sarah Hunt, with Jeffrey Strauss (Pamplemousse Grille chef/owner)
(Vincent Andrunas)
Jeffrey Strauss (Pamplemousse Grille chef/owner) with Masterpiece chair Dr. Barbara Denysiak and four co-chairs: Dr. Jacqueline Denysiak (who is also PoP president), Marla Marshall, Dr. Julie Cowan Novak, and Lena Trotsko
(Vincent Andrunas)
Cathe Burnham, Jayanci Menches, Chris and Jackie Schott
(Vincent Andrunas)
Jas Grewal, Nargis Lengacher, Suren Dutia, Selema Ruffin
(Vincent Andrunas)
A view of the dinner area from above
(Vincent Andrunas)
Tom and Laurnie Durisoe, Lynne and Max Guidoboni
(Vincent Andrunas)
Jack McGrory, Ally Reyes, Megan Pogue, Gary Cady
(Vincent Andrunas)
Barbara McColl, Dianne York, John and Carrie O’Brien
(Vincent Andrunas)
Mark and Joanne Witkowski, Monica Szkopiec, Evan Smith
(Vincent Andrunas)
Patrons of the Prado held its MASTERPIECE: Elegance of the Elements benefit event Aug. 9 at the Natural History Museum in Balboa Park. Patrons of the Prado was formed in 1997 as a movement to provide much-needed funding for the extraordinary cultural centers and theatres in Balboa Park. Today, Patrons of the Prado is a 91-member, all-volunteer nonprofit organization that has raised over $6.3 million in both Greatest Needs Grants and Bucks4Buses Grants for its beneficiaries, according to a news release.
The event included great food and beverages, live entertainment by The Mighty Untouchables, a live auction, and more. The San Diego Junior Theatre performed scenes from The Lion King, and the 25-year Patrons of the Prado members were honored for their philanthropy and community service.
MASTERPIECE 2025 Elegance of the Elements also honored and celebrated the John and Carole Sachs family as the 2025 recipients of the Patrons of the Prado ICON Award for Arts and Culture. This award recognizes their long-standing commitment to positive community impact for the greater cultural good in San Diego, the news release stated.
Visit www.patronsoftheprado.org for more information.
