Robert J. Pavuchak for the Post-Gazette Grant Oliphant, vice president of programs for the Heinz Foundation, and Sara Radelet, executive director of the New Hazlett Theater. Click photo for larger image.

Celebrating -- and perpetuating -- the remarkable number of women leading Pittsburgh's thriving arts scene was the theme of the "Women in the Arts: Founders, Pioneers, Instigators" gala at the New Hazlett Theater on the North Side.

Theater director Sara Radelet, along with Hazlett board leaders Jane Werner and Tom Sokolowski, welcomed the hip crowd, which was there to fete a cross-generational group of 36 women leaders.

Artist Thommy Conroy decorated the theater's lights with garlands of lilies and roses, and tables with violet-filled terrariums from La Vie Gallery in Lawrenceville -- Conroy described the look as "a Gatsby-esque Deco-fest that celebrates womanhood." Jen Gottschalk of Ladies United for the Preservation of Endangered Cocktails mixed the killer drinks that lubricated the crowd.

Robert J. Pavuchak for the Post-Gazette Kathryn Sitter, left, co-founder of the Brew House, South Side, and Vernell Lillie, founder of Kuntu Repertory Theatre. Click photo for larger image.

Fellow celebrants included Heather Pesanti, Hilary Robinson, Colleen Russell Criste, Beth Corning, Linnea Glick, Jen Saffron, Michele de la Reza, Bob Bingham, Kathryn Sitter, Jacob Bacharach, Bronwyn Loughren, Karla Boos, Grant Oliphant, Kevin McMahon, Carol Brown,

Bill Peduto, Rob and Cathy Lewis Long, Ceci Sommers, Tracy Brigden, Janera Solomon, Jane Arkus, Alice Snyder, Connie Brinda, Lisa Hoitsma, Joan Apt, Staycee Pearl, Mildred Posvar, Christine Jordanoff, Gerri Kay, Elsa Limbach, Susan Gillis, Cecile Springer, Charlie Humphrey,

Lauren Urbschat, Barbara Luderowski, Michael Olijnyk, Christiane Leach, Janet Sarbaugh, Elizabeth Reiss, Marilyn Coleman, Demeatria Gibson Boccella, Mary Navarro, Kathleen Mulcahy, Vernell Lillie, Dolly Ellenberg, Darla Cravotta, Richard Rauh, Laura Domencic and Karey Joensen.