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Some 600 guests gather for the annual fundraising gala, Mission: Gratitude, the largest benefit gala in New England dedicated to helping veterans and their families. The venue: historic Charlestown Navy Yard, home of the USS Constitution, a 200-year-old frigate named by George Washington after the Constitution of the United States. The site has a rich naval history and sweeping harbor views of the Boston skyline.
Developed by Mass General Hospital and the Red Sox Foundation, Home Base’s mission is to heal the invisible wounds for Veterans, Service Members and their Families through world-class clinical care, wellness, education and research.
Arnold Worldwide and long-time design and production partner Tyger Productions teamed up to build the event from the ground up--quite literally. Beginning with an empty pier, the team erected a massive 13,000-square-foot tent (164 feet long by 82 feet wide), the largest in the history of the Navy Yard. To emphasize the marvelous views of the city, a dramatic 13-foot wall of glass dominated one side of the tent, bringing the outdoors in. Tenting was handled by Peak Event Services.
To balance the scale of the large structure tent, Tyger designed and fabricated a custom installation of undulating translucent panels suspended from the ceiling. The dream-like canopy of clouds masked the ceiling structure and created a breathtaking visual that also made for a more intimate feel in the tent.
As the sun set outside, a dynamic lighting design illuminated the cloud ceiling treatment over guests, mimicking the sunset outdoors. Lighting was handled by Tyger Productions and Frost Productions.
The lighting evolved through the course of the evening in an ombre palette of warm tones, finally dissolving into a breathtaking “starry night” look with deep blues punctuated by a sky full of bright white stars.
While the cloud-like canopy overhead created a dramatic statement, guests were equally taken with level of detail and design as they sat for dinner.
A mix of round tables with gunmetal gray linens and long rectangular tables with salvaged wood tops created a warm but modern look with slight military inspiration, accented by elegant touches of vintage gold and mercury glass.
To create further interest, centerpieces on the round dining tables alternated between large cement urns of planted succulents and reclaimed wood and more whimsical centerpieces composed of white roses, live moss and gold manzanita branches encased in dramatic blown glass cloches.
A view of the ceiling treatment.
A long view of the ceiling panels.
A view of the dining area. Catering was handled by Gourmet Caterers.
Dramatic lighting.
A view of the dining tables.
The long tables received subtle but elegant rows of mercury glass hurricanes and large preserved boxwood spheres offering soft illumination and brilliant pops of color to punctuate the neutral, sophisticated palette.
Looking at place settings.
A closer look at a place setting.
The event featured an organic color palette.
A rustic centerpiece. Tyger Productions oversaw floral and foliage.
A whimsical centerpiece.
Emmy- and Tony Award-winning actress and singer Kristin Chenoweth serenaded guests, ending the night on a high note.
