Inaugural Tablescape Design Competition Comes to Pasadena July 21

Setting the Table: The Art of Conversation

Fifteen local designers and event planners will showcase their creative talents at Leadership Pasadena’s Setting the Table: The Art of Conversation, the community’s first tablescape design competition to be held on the evening of July 21 at NOOR at Paseo Pasadena.

“Imagine the most beautiful and innovative dinner table for eight or Pinterest in person!” said Lynne Graves, Leadership Pasadena event co-chair. “Designers will each bring their own unique vision, creating a diverse array of tablescapes to illustrate the art of conversation.” With an eclectic slate of designers on board for the event, Graves said event attendees can look forward to tablescapes ranging from luxurious settings that encourage guests to linger at the table to inventive presentations meant to spur thought-provoking conversation. Attendees will have the opportunity to vote for their favorite tablescape, with the winning designer to be awarded a full-page ad in LA Dreams Magazine, the premier luxury lifestyles publication of Los Angeles, according to Cindy Bengtson Budzyn, event co-chair.

“I am thrilled to lead this fabulous event and to provide an exciting creative opportunity for the marvelous designers here in Pasadena,” said Anthony Guthmiller, Artistic Director and inspiration for this event. “This is the perfect conversation starter among the local creative community and a brilliant way to support Leadership Pasadena’s community leadership programs.”

Businesses thrive in healthy, vibrant communities and such communities need exceptional community leaders who can effectively converse and collaborate with others, especially those with differing opinions. Leadership Pasadena creates those leaders for the greater Pasadena area and Leadership Pasadena praises the insightful, brilliant companies and individuals who are sponsoring this special event to build vital new local leaders for the greater Pasadena community.

A Presenting Sponsor for Setting the Table: The Art of Conversation, Liz Rusnak Arizmendi of the Rusnak Auto Group said “I’m very excited to be part of this first annual design event. To me, the art of conversation means putting down your phone to be present in society.”

Joining the Rusnak Group as Presenting Sponsors are Wells Fargo, Hotel Constance Pasadena, Rusak Maserati and Jacob Maarse Floral Design, with realtor Barbara King Richardson of the Coldwell Banker Foundation and Ricky Biel of Haydel Biel & Associates serving as Head of the Table Sponsors.

Hospitality Sponsors include Eszylfie Taylor of Taylor Insurance and Financial Services, Karla Berentsen of Hahn & Hahn LLP, Kat O’Sullivan of KSHift, Leadership Pasadena’s Executive Director Cindy Bengtson Budzyn, Maude Woods Artful Living, The Content Lab Creative Marketing, Plan Ahead Events LA, Melissa Gersh Innovative Marketing, and LionMark AVL Entertainment. Additional sponsors include Rental Sponsor Town and Country Event Rentals and Media Sponsor LA Dreams Magazine. Leadership Pasadena also toasts community supporter Junior League of Pasadena, Inc.

In addition to the tablescape design competition, the event features delicious bites and appetizers from renowned Chef Claude Beltran and wine and bubbly beverages, as well as a silent auction. All proceeds will support the Leadership Pasadena community leadership programs, including the new Community Leadership Course for Veterans.

Tickets and additional event information may be found here!

Gallery Captions:

1 – Barbara King Richardson of Coldwell Banker.

2 – Esyzlfie Taylor of Taylor Insurance and Financial Services.

3 – Karla Berentsen of Hahn & Hahn.

4 – Ricky Biel of Haydel Biel and Associates.

5 – Anthony Guthmiller, Drew Polenchar and Liz Rusnak Arizmendi of Rusnak Auto Group.

– Courtesy photos / Leadership Pasadena

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