Mish Receives the Swan Award at the 60th Annual Swan Ball in Nashville

The 60th Annual Swan Ball took place in Nashville, Tennessee on June 4th.

June 7th, 2022

Founded by the late Mrs. Jane Anderson Dudley, the Swan Ball is one of the nation’s oldest and most successful fundraising events. Thanks to the efforts of more than 200 Swan Ball volunteers, the Ball raises significant funds annually to benefit Cheekwood, a nationally recognized destination renowned for its distinctive beauty, historical significance and excellence in art and horticulture. This year’s white tie affair was chaired by Mary Catherine McClellan and Elizabeth McDonald.

At this year’s event, Mish was recipient of the prestigious Swan Award. The esteemed award is presented annually to individuals distinguished in their service to humanity. Prior recipients have included Mish’s dear friend Julia Reed, Carolina Herrera, Albert Hadley, Walter Annenberg, and the list goes on.

“The Swan Ball community was so honored to present the 2022 Swan Award to Mish, a long-standing supporter of Cheekwood Estate & Gardens in Nashville,” said Mary Catherine McClellan, Co-Chair of this year’s Swan Ball. “Mish’s philanthropic reach is expansive and he joins a prestigious group as Swan Ball Award recipient. Over the years, he has won the hearts and friendship of so many in Nashville, and we are grateful for the opportunity to recognize him and his steadfast support,” added Elizabeth McDonald, Co-Chair of the Swan Ball.

Mish said, “I feel so overwhelmed and humbled by this honor as it’s such a lifetime achievement. It was truly an honor celebrating in Nashville with my dear friends, who are like family to me and Joseph.”

The Swan Ball enlisted Ken Fulk designer of experiences large and small, and renowned for his layered interiors, high-concept hospitality brands and unforgettable parties to help bring a dose of the unexpected to the postponed event, slated for 2021. Inspired by the history of grand white tie galas and masquerade balls, Fulk and the team he affectionately calls ‘the Magic-Makers,’ conceived of a Swan Ball that would carry the traditions of this glamorous event into a Technicolor dream. When the 2021 ball was postponed, Fulk and his team were only more determined to create an unforgettable 60th Swan Ball. The ball returned larger than life and more exuberant than ever. Cascading fountains of fresh florals in a riot of unexpected color took over the historic Cheekwood Estate. Guests were escorted on a journey that felt surreal and surprising yet anchored in the rich history of this estate.

From the moment of arrival, guests were greeted by characters and dancers in fantastical costumes and guided through an otherworldly experience, an ethereal atmosphere. A palette of bold, bright mossy greens and delicate, rosy pinks on a velvety black backdrop evoked a dreamy, modern take on a midnight enchanted forest. The dining and dancing portion of the evening was an exuberant celebration of flowers. The pops of vivid Technicolor chartreuse and kaleidoscopic projections added an element of through-the-looking-glass spectacle. Florals, patterns and bold colors took center stage in a nod to the latest Gucci runways with sculptural wisteria tangled in the chandeliers and photorealistic flowers at every unlikely turn. After two years in the making, this Swan Ball was like no other – a perfect reason to party. Acclaimed singer songwriter Darius Rucker took the stage with a lively performance that had guests dancing late into the evening.