Mingei International Museum celebrates 29th anniversary

Mingei International Museum celebrated its 29th anniversary recently with a gala at the Salk Institute for Biological Studies. Supporters were invited to come early and tour the Institute before attending the alfresco reception on the grounds. A lavish sit-down dinner was served indoors, where guests were treated to a performance by Cantus (one of America’s premier male vocal ensembles).

The event was a tribute to Mingei architect and dedicated trustee, David Rinehart, and Salk Institute was the logical venue for an event in his honor. After all, Rinehart was one of the renowned architects who worked on Salk’s nationally-acclaimed East Building.

Honorary Chairs Lael and Jay Kovtun were among the many La Jollans on hand to celebrate the occasion. Annika and Gordon Kovtun shared duties as Anniversary Chairs, and local philanthropist Audrey Geisel was the generous anniversary sponsor.

Martha Longnecker (founder and long-time director of the Mingei) was on hand, along with Richard Murphy (director of Salk), Erna and Andrew Viterbi, Jim and Ruth Mulvaney, Lee Maturo, Sally and John Thornton, Regina Kurtz and Al Isenberg, Terry and Greg Cooper, Ruth Grobstein, Judy and Jack White, Carol and Jeff Chang and Barbara Bloom.