About CRUSH

This event is critical in the life of the Museum. CRUSH 2010 is the third annual event and we are looking forward to it being even more successful and fun than the first two years. Our financial goal for 2010 is to raise $200,000 for the Tucson Museum of Art.

What many Tucsonans and art patrons do not realize is that the Museum must raise 95% of its funds through membership dues, fundraising events and grants. The Tucson Museum of Art shows original and traveling exhibitions with a focus on Art of the American West, Latin American Art, and Modern and Contemporary Art; and boasts a permanent collection of more than 8,000 works. The Historic Block features five distinctive houses built between 1850 and 1907 that provides a unique look into Tucson’s past.

CRUSH is a Museum-wide event with the Museum staff and all of the support organizations and the Board of Trustees involved to some degree. Major contributions of time and effort were provided by the following:

  • Robert Knight, Executive Director—Overall CRUSH 2010 Chairman and Wine Procurement Chairman
  • Meredith Hayes—Marketing and PR
  • Leslie Schellie—Sponsorship/Underwriting
  • Katie Heideman—Finance
  • Ann Stables, StablesInc Communications and TMA League—Marketing and PR
  • Cookie Pashkow, TMA League—co-chair CRUSH pARTy ‘Under the Stars’
  • Peggy Hilton, TMA League—co-chair CRUSH pARTy ‘Under the Stars’
  • Mary Jo Brown, TMA League—co-chair CRUSH Classic ‘An Evening to Savor’
  • Nina Arnzen, TMA League—co-chair CRUSH Classic ‘An Evening to Savor’
  • Jean Cooper, Board of Trustees member—seminar presenter
  • Ellie Gabriel, Docent Council—Volunteer Recruitment and Designated Driver Hospitality
  • Marilyn Joyce, TMA League and Contemporary Art Society—chair Auction Committee for Friday and Saturday
  • Linda Schindler, TMA League—co-chair Auction Administration Committee
  • Bobbi O’Connor, TMA League—co-chair Auction Administration Committee
  • Susan Schroeder, TMA League—chair Check-in and Reservations Committee
  • Susan Johnstone, TMA League—chair, Rentals
  • John Fortino, honorary TMA League member—Music Chair
  • Jody Menear, executive assistant to Board of Trustees member Harry George—co-chair Winemaker Dinner
  • Karyn Bell, house manager Mark and Monica Riely—co-chair Winemaker Dinner
  • Carolyn DeLuca, TMA League—co-chair Seminars
  • Susie Waggoner, TMA League—co-chair Seminars
  • Sudy Altholz, TMA League—co-chair Seminars
  • Nancy Landes, TMA League—Overall CRUSH Co-Chair
  • Barbara Calder, TMA League—Overall CRUSH Co-Chair

Fleming's Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar, a CRUSH Premier Sponsor, is due special recognition for their generous financial support to help make this CRUSH the best so far. Thank you to Robert Craig Winery and Robert Craig for agreeing to be the guest vintner for this inaugural event.

A special thank you to Jack Westenborg, Board of Trustees member, and the staff at Alliance Beverage Distributing Company, a CRUSH Premier Sponsor, especially Donna Summers, who made the whole event happen by procuring the wines for Friday, the vintner and wines for Saturday, the vintner for the Winemaker Dinner and generally were delightful to work with.

Thank you too to Mark and Monika Riely for graciously agreeing to host and underwrite the 1st annual CRUSH Winemaker Dinner.

A huge thank you also to TMA League Member Ann Stables of StablesInc Communications for all her help in putting together the website and marketing materials as well as for recruiting Julie Ray of Julie Ray Creative for graphic design work.

Madden Media also deserves singling out for their ongoing support of CRUSH through their assistance with the website and advertising. Without any one of these people, the CRUSH events would not have been successful and their efforts are greatly appreciated. It truly does take a village!