Decorator Mary Carol Garrity to headline Lied's Table Inspirations

            The Lied Center for Performing Arts' Friends of Lied organization will host its biennial Table Inspirations event on April 16 and 17 with decorating and lifestyle personality Mary Carol Garrity as the featured guest speaker.

            The popular event is a showcase of table settings and centerpieces created by Nebraska designers and artists. Proceeds support Lied Center programming and educational outreach across Nebraska.

            Garrity is nationally known for providing elegant but practical tips on everything from holiday decorating to stylish ways to entertain at home, setting tables and creating displays that wow guests with inspiration and affordability. She opened her legendary flagship retail store, Nell Hill's, in Atchison, Kan., in 1981. Its success led to two additional stores and recognition by Forbes magazine as "one of the hottest little retailers" in America. In addition to appearing on network television and contributing to national magazines, Garrity writes a nationally syndicated weekly newspaper column and has published several best-selling home decorating books.

            With a nod to Garrity's signature style, the Table Inspirations theme this year is "The Gracious Table." Table displays will be unveiled from 6:30 to 9 p.m. April 16 during a "Cocktails and Conversation" reception at the Lied Center, 301 N. 12th St. on the University of Nebraska-Lincoln City Campus. The program for April 17 includes table tours from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., as well as Garrity's presentation at 11:30 a.m., a gala luncheon at 12:30 p.m., and instructive mini-design sessions from 2 to 5 p.m. Luncheon guests will have the opportunity to purchase centerpieces created by Garrity for the Lied Center event.

            Tickets for Table Inspirations 2013 are available in advance by calling 402-472-4700 or at the door. Tickets for the Tuesday evening "Cocktails and Conversation" reception and table preview are $70. Wednesday guests may choose to attend all events (table tours, speaker, luncheon and mini-design sessions) for $85; table tour and speaker for $55; or table tour only for $25.

            Raffle tickets will be sold during the event for prizes that include a Nell Hill's inspired table setting for eight, featuring white Portuguese stoneware, light green water goblets, decorative accent bowls and salad plates, stainless steel flatware, woven chargers, cloth napkins, a fabric table overlay and a colorful pottery and topiary centerpiece. Additional raffle prizes include vintage Chanel pieces in a luxury statement necklace donated by dsts women's accessory boutique in Lincoln; a large Wedgewood sculpted pottery bowl and coordinating pitcher donated by Buenz Gifts in Ogallala; and a beaded embroidery firefly necklace created by artist Kay Grimminger of Grand Island.

            Honorary chairpersons for Table Inspirations 2013 are Chuck and Karen Harris of York. Chuck Harris was recently re-elected mayor of York and is a member of the Lied Statewide Advisory Board. Karen Harris is an active community volunteer and former president of the Friends of Lied board of directors.

            Friends of Lied is a membership organization that raises funds to support the Lied Center mission "to educate, inspire and entertain the people of Nebraska through the performing arts." Thanks to the generosity of donors across Nebraska, Friends of Lied has contributed $4 million to the Lied Center over the past two decades. For more information, visit http://www.liedcenter.org.

Writer: Matthew Boring