Out & About: Southern Alleghenies Museum of Art at Ligonier Valley's annual garden party

“The Art of Golf” was the theme for the annual garden party at the Southern Alleghenies Museum of Art at Ligonier Valley held on May 21.

Why golf?

“Every year our theme has to do with a Western Pennsylvania leisure activity,” said site coordinator Emma Noonan. “This year, we're tapping into the area's golf culture.”

The museum is about a tee shot away from the Laurel Valley Golf Club, where supporters played in a benefit tournament on May 19.

Golf-themed games led the list of garden party activities, along with good food, live and silent auctions, live music and dancing.

Some guests, like Josita Karolyi, came in golf togs to take advantage of the putt-putt course laid out on the museum grounds.

In recognition of the facility's 40th anniversary year, guests played a birthday grab-bag game.

Former site coordinator Sommer Toffle, with spouse Barrett Goddard, was recognized as the 2016 Distinguished SAMA Auxiliary Honoree.

Exhibiting artist Linda Arnold, a Pittsburgh native now living in New York, was on hand to discuss her abstract expressionist works in “Visions of the Natural World,” many of which were painted in the vicinity of Ligonier.

Seen: SAMA Executive Director G. Gary Moyer with Suzy, Bill and Bonnie Hoffman, George and Olive Conte, Bill and Susan Kiren, Madelon Sheedy, Christopher and Sue Sheedy, Terry Graft and Linda Brown, Mert Ozcan, Gertrude Myers, Steve and Janice Gooder, Jess and Joan Stairs, Mark and Jeanine Ferry, Cheryl Wood and Daryl Ross.

Shirley McMarlin is a Tribune-Review staff writer. Reach her at 724-836-5750 or smcmarlin@tribweb.com .