March 30, 2008|By SLOANE BROWN
THE TICKETS WEREN'T CHEAP. After all, this was the annual fundraising gala for the American Visionary Art Museum. But for party outfits, many guests only spent as much as the cost of a newspaper. In fact, their outfits were the newspaper, in accordance with invitation instructions to dress along the lines of the evening's theme.
"Black and White and RED All Over" celebrated the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution -- a tie-in to AVAM's current exhibition All Faiths Beautiful: From Atheism to Zoroastrianism, Respect for Diversity of Belief.
You couldn't miss AVAM visitor services associate Patty Cuzbida. She was sporting a necklace that covered her from shoulder to shoulder and halfway down her torso in lettering and big black-and-white "eyes" (the AVAM logo) -- all made out of felt. Meanwhile, her hubby, University of Maryland School of Medicine clinical researcher Greg Cuzbida, had dressed up his tux with a bow tie he'd created out of The New York Times.
"It's made out of an op-ed piece that was written by our son [Harvard debt historian Louis Hyman] for the Times," he said proudly.
The day's papers also appeared on the long tie of artist Mark Barry, who admitted that he'd put it together about a half-hour before the party, with the aid of his trusty glue gun.
"I have a little bit of waterboarding [news] here and something about the economy, too. So, I've covered all the grounds," he said with a smile. Meanwhile, his wife, AVAM board chair Sandra Magsamen, chose to go the more traditional black dress route.
A DRINK WITH TRACY GASPARI
TRACY GASPARI'S DRINK IS A MIStake. She receives a Belvedere vodka martini straight up with a slice of lime instead of what she ordered: Belvedere on the rocks, with a slice of lemon. But she drinks it anyway.
"Waste not, want not," is her motto. Gaspari, 37, may live frugally, but she does so with zest. This studio supervisor and lighting designer has chosen to stay at Maryland Public Television for the past 11 years, even though it doesn't pay as well as corporate television or video production. She says she stays because she believes in its mission. And following her principles is what this single Catonsville resident is all about.
Why did you accept the wrong drink?
Because I can't waste anything. They would have to throw it away and bring me another.
Are you this frugal with everything?
Yes. My car is 10 years old, and it has 119,000 miles on it. I will drive it until I see the pavement through the floorboards. Because [otherwise] it's wasteful. ... People who don't know me think I'm a snob because my car is a BMW and I keep it meticulously clean. ... You have to care for things so that they will last forever.
What else are you frugal about?
When I'm shopping for clothes, I'm looking for something I can keep for the longest time possible. [Something] timeless. And unfortunately, those things tend to be more expensive. Because the craftsmanship is there. ... So, I have to be creative when I shop.
What's the best bargain you ever got in clothes shopping?
I got a white-and-black silk ball skirt. I think it's a Giambattista Valli. It was $2,400. I got it for $16.99.
ONLINE Sloane Brown takes you to the party with a calendar of coming events and video reports at baltimoresun.com / scene
ONLINE Read more of the conversation with Tracy Gaspari at baltimoresun.com / drink
