Chocolate Soiree: An Evening Of Truffles And Ceramic Art

By Julia Weeman in Arts & Entertainment on Feb 3, 2013 8:00PM

This Saturday, Bridgeport Art Center is hosting an evening of ceramic art, truffles, bites, and libations, aptly named Chocolate Soirée. The event is presented as part of Collective Conversations in Clay, which "encourages ceramic artists to collaborate with their surroundings and create something they never would have made without these influences." It is also part of the Salon Series, an exhibition and discussion project curated and produced by Chicago-based artist JC Steinbrunner with a goal of "emphasizing participation between guests and artists to explore meaning, context and craft of new work."

Each artist has been paired with a hand-rolled "ugly truffle" created by local confectioner CAKE. Pleasant House, which specializes in farm-to-table cuisine including traditional and modern savory pies, will be serving hors d'ouevres. They'll be lots of delicious things to sip on as well - single-malt Scotch by Glaswegian distillery Auchentoshan, seasonal beers from 5 Rabbit, and wine provided by Vinejoy. The artists' work is inspired by the tastes, textures, and emotions experienced when indulging in chocolate. There will be salon-style conversations with some of the artists.

Artist & Truffle Pairings:
Dustin Yager - You Suck Lemon Chocolate Truffle* - a fresh lemon white chocolate ganache surrounded by bittersweet chocolate and dusted with powdered sugar.
Jay Strommen - Campy Chocolate Truffle - a gooey handmade marshmallow center, surrounded by milk chocolate and rolled in smoke-infused toasted graham cracker crumbs.
Jayson Lawfer - Come Hither, Honey Chocolate Truffle* - sweet, subtle honey-almond center encased in white chocolate and rolled in roasted almonds.
Joanna Kramer - Gordito Picante Chocolate Truffle* - smooth cinnamony mexican chocolate warmed with chili spices and surrounded by milk chocolate and toasted corn tortillas.
Mie Kongo - Loco Chocolate Truffle* - bittersweet tequila ganache surrounded by bittersweet chocolate, topped with sea salt and lime zest.
Patty Kochaver - Not In Mint Condition Chocolate Truffle* - fresh mint white chocolate ganache surrounded by white chocolate and dusted with powdered sugar.
Sarah Hicks - Morning After Merlot Chocolate Truffle - merlot ganache surrounded by bittersweet chocolate and rolled in red velvet cake crumbs.
Sangeet Gupta - Messed Up Mocha Chocolate Truffle* - a milk chocolate espresso ganache surrounded in milk chocolate and dusted in cocoa.
Mary Drabik - Hairy Coconut Chocolate Truffle* - creamy coconut ganache surrounded by white chocolate and rolled in toasted coconut.
*denotes gluten free

Chocolate Soiree is Saturday, February 9 from 7-10 p.m. at Bridgeport Art Center, located at 1200 W. 35th Street in Bridgeport. The event is 21+ and tickets are available online for $35, which includes 9 hand-rolled chocolate truffles, booze, and bites. Additional truffles and artwork will be available for purchase and parking is free.