The Harvard Club. (Photos above and below by Tara Carvalho of South Shore Photography)

Here is a healthy selection of photos from the New England chapter of the Institute of Classical Architecture & Art‘s recent Bulfinch Awards gala at the Harvard Club on Commonwealth Avenue in Boston. The event was a rousing success because it was all about beauty – not just that of the guests and the sponsors but of the Bulfinch laureates and their work.

A party is a party is a party, of course, but a really fun party can serve as a springboard for the growth of an organization as the greater respect for and visibility of its purpose – in this case, the spread of classical architecture and art – cascades through society. Boston has classical wealth in abundance, but its architectural establishment pays it little mind and less respect. Maybe the gala weekend of the ICAA’s Bulfinch Awards program will help inject some regard for what classical architecture has done for Boston and the region. It may be stated with some confidence that strengthening the link between classical architecture and fun can only grow the family of the ICAA.

Read my survey of the gala weekend in the post “ICAA New England’s gala.”

Meanwhile, starting with the Harvard Club atop this post, here are some photographs of the event. All but one were taken with a loving feel for the lens by Tara Carvalho of South Shore Photography.

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The gala began with cocktails, lubricating talk of classical architecture.

Then all were ushered into Harvard Hall for the inaugural gala dinner.

Good food creates good fellowship, and fellowship for classicism creates fun.

Before things got out of hand, Chapter President Kostelecky and Vice President Andreozzi (at lectern) were forced to start handing things out.

Hush and suspense … And the envelope, please.

Chapter President Kostelecky hands National President Peter Lyden a $5,000 check for the ICAA educational fund.

Oscar Shamamian accepts Bulfinch for Residential over 5,000 s.f.

Patrick Ahearn accepts Bulfinch for Residential under 5,000 s.f.

RAMSA partner Gary Brewer accepts Bulfinch for Commercial/Institutional.

Patrick Ahearn after accepting a second Bulfinch, for Restoration, Renovation, Addition

Gregory Lombari accepts Bulfinch for Landscape Architecture

David Nassim, of Hyde Park Mouldings, accepts Bulfinch for Craftmanship/Artisanship.

Chapter board member Sally Wilson accepted a Bulfinch for Sketch on behalf of Leslie-jon Vickory of Hamadi Architects. (Photo by David Brussat)

With Sheldon looking on, David describes the first Bulfinch Award for Patronage.

Gary Brewer accepts Bulfinch for Patronage on behalf of Jonathan Nelson.

Chapter board members in attendence: front row, l-r: Jason Harris, Sally Wilson, Aaron Helfand, Stephen Payne, Dan Gordon; back row, l-r: Nancy Berry, David Andreozzi, David Brussat (emeritus), Eric Daum, Lee Reid, Sheldon Kostelecky.

The program for the Sixth Annual Bulfinch Awards Ceremony and Gala.

Departure was difficult, and made more so by the “swag bags” to be carried off by each guest.