By Katia Ostapets

Photography by Kalynn Friesen

The AGO opened its doors to close to 1,800 guests on April 19 for the eight annual AGO Massive Party. The festivities were co-chaired by Hughene Acheson and Laura Adams, and orchestrated by Canadian artist and Massive Party artistic director Bruno Billio. All funds raised will go towards the museum’s education and exhibition programs.

Billio’s theme for the 2012 gala was “Light Sounds Object Past Present Future”. Tying in with the theme, guests were encouraged to share their opinions on the future of art by completing the sentence #thefutureofartis on Twitter.

AGO Massive Party 2012.

The evening began early for the AGO Next members, who were invited to the official AGO Next Pre-Party. Upon arrival to the main event, guests were encouraged to take pictures in front of the beautifully backlit “ART” sculpture.

The overall atmosphere was lively with most of the attendees chatting away, and a few even Dancing to the DJ Morgan Shim beats. In the centre of the space was a set from the Edgar Allan Poe poem – The Raven – complete with a Poe look-alike and a raven on his arm. A photographer was available to take photos of attendees posing in this world of Poe.

The open bar served a variety of clear drinks, including white wine and Kettle One vodka with white cranberry juice. Caterers circulated the rooms with hors d’oeuvres, including mini truffled mac’n’cheese, gourmet fries and two types of pizza.

Guests were dressed to impress, in suits, cocktail dresses and ball gowns. Socialite Ainsley Kerr’s outfit was particularly memorable: she wore a beautiful LUNDSTRÖM gown right out of the recent runway show at World MasterCard Canada Fashion Week. So many photographers were circulating the event that guests could feel like movie stars, with the spotlight constantly on them.

FAJO‘s Best Dressed