by Lori Zimmer

As the Art Nerd, I am ever so lucky to be invited to some of the best events- and best venues. On Wednesday, the dude and I attended the annual Van Alen Institute Spring Party, at what was probably my most favorite venue yet- The Surrogate’s Courthouse. The Beaux Arts building was modeled after the Paris Opera and built between 1899 and 1907, clad in extremely thick marble throughout with the intention of being fireproof (it houses important city records). The space is absolutely stunning- detailed mosaics of Egyptian gods, genie lamps, zodiac creatures and Roman soldiers, marbles staircases leading to colonnaded balconies, vaulted ceilings and intricate carvings as far as the eye can see. Ah, when buildings MEANT something.