This program is part of the Artistic Table Lecture Series.

Cathy Graham shares her easy and foolproof entertaining techniques, revealing the essentials of party planning that can make every event shine. Ranging from artful centerpieces of seasonal fruits and vegetables to her signature “still life” arrangements of blooms in individual glass bottles interspersed with eBay-sourced miniature finds, Cathy’s aesthetic eye and taste for whimsy have made her the go-to guru for advice on creating dinner parties and get-togethers guests are sure to remember. In this lecture, she shares tips on how to achieve her distinctive entertaining style. Whether you’re using Christofle silver, or antique Jensen silver, Cathy demonstrates how a perfect dinner party is eminently attainable.

Event Timeline

5:30-6:30 p.m.: Mansion and The Artistic Table open for self-guided touring
6:30-7:30 p.m.: Lecture
7:30 p.m.: Book Signing. Second Bloom is available in the Museum Shop

About the Speaker

Cathy Barancik Graham is an award winning artist and fashion illustrator. Her editorial work has appeared in The New York Times, Rolling Stone, and New York Magazine, and she has been commissioned by Bergdorf Goodman, Estée Lauder, CBS Records, and HBO. In addition, she has been a contributing editor of Elle Decor and House Beautiful. She is a graduate of the Rhode Island School of Design, from which she holds a BFA in Painting, and she studied Fashion Illustration at Parsons School of Design.

For more than a decade, Graham worked with the late floral designer and event planner Robert Isabell, noted for his unique lavish and innovative parties.

Graham resides in New York City, where she works to support cultural life by serving on the boards of Lincoln Center Theater, New York Restoration Project, and House of SpeakEasy.

Her first book, Second Bloom: Cathy Graham’s Art of the Table, was published in Fall 2017 by Vendome Press. Graham is also the designer of a line of paper products comprising fashion note cards, gift and holiday cards, notebooks, and wrapping paper. She has recently launched several collaborations, which include a line of pajamas and textiles with Charmajesty Ltd., a signature Second Bloom candle with NEST Fragrances, and a line of decoupage home accents with Scott Potter.

About the Artistic Table Lecture Series

Take inspiration from the finest table settings and enjoy a feast for the eyes.

Wednesday, April 4: The Diplomatic Table: Blair House Welcomes the World, with Candace Shireman

Rescheduled: Wednesday, April 11: Surtouts, Tureens, and Salt and Pepper Shaker Sets: Table Decoration, Then and Now, with Wilfried Zeisler

Wednesday, April 18: Art of the Table: Floral Design for Entertaining, with Cathy Graham