While on the board of MoCA for eight years, I met wonderful and generous locals of interest. One of them was Stella Holmes. The beautiful and very philanthropic Stella is now all about the BrazilFoundation. This weekend at the PAMM is where you will find Mrs. Holmes, as well as Miami’s elite as the top tier of society (and some celebrities) will gather for one of the city’s most prestigious and pricey evenings amidst gala season.
I love to feature philanthropists, especially ones who are a bit under the radar by choice. Considering her big contributions toward the BrazilFoundation, one may think that Stella was Brazilian, however, no. Holmes was born in Buenos Aires and educated globally. Stella is best described in our community as a citizen of the world of art. Not only is she a historian and a collector, she prides herself in enriching our community through creativity and passion. Holmes is also a documentary filmmaker (West Encounters East) while being a benefactor of the Stella M. Holmes Art Research Center at the University of Miami’s Lowe Art Museum. She is also a Trustee of the Morikami Museum and Japanese Gardens and a supporter of Vizcaya Museum and Gardens. Stella is a founding sponsor of the Miami Art Dealers Association among other South Florida Institutions.
Last year at the gala, Stella won the bid for a pair of Carla Amorim white gold, 10.15 carat diamonds and 6.6 carat emeralds encrusted earring that went for $9oK. That money goes directly toward to supporting the BrazilFoundation and their mission.
This year’s gala is sponsors include American Airlines Arena, Artefacto, Audemars Piguet, St. Regis Bal Harbour, Goldman Sachs and Credit Agricole, honoring Executive Coordinator of CEPFS Jose Dias Campos and Ayrton Senna Institute’s Paul Senna, bringing together 450 leaders from the worlds of business, diplomacy, academia, fashion and art to generate resources for the community-led initiatives funded by the BrazilFoundation. Latin Grammy Award-winning and best-selling Brazilian female singer Ivete Sangalo will receive the Global Brazilian Award in celebration of her twenty year music career, and Miami City Ballet School Director Darleen Callaghan will accept the International Philanthropy Award. Television host Pedro Andrade will act as the evening’s masters of ceremonies. The evening will feature live music by Batuque Samba Funk, and a performance by Miami City Ballet School Ensemble and Quabales, a percussion group, comparable to Broadway phenomenon STOMP.
Last year, the gala was attended by international supermodel Adriana Lima, rap sensation Fat Joe and Brazilian megastar Naldo. Notables including BrazilFoundation Honorary Chair Ambassador Hélio Vitor Ramos of the Consul General of Brazil in Miami and Co-Chairs Daniela Fonseca Puggina and Maria Carolina Tavares de Melo, Brazilian television personality Sabrina Sato, among others are expected to be in attendance in support of BrazilFoundation.
Tickets are still available and start at $1,000 usd. If you are interested, please click here.
