On November 21st from 5:30 to 8:30pm The Seventeenth Annual Boston International Fine Art Show (BIFAS) will open with its Gala Preview at The Cyclorama at the Boston Center for the Arts. Charitable art lovers will come together to appreciate the stunning galleries on display, savor fine food and wine and raise money to benefit Shriners Hospitals for Children-Boston.

This year’s Gala is destined to be one of the premier social and cultural events of the fall. Guests will spend the evening indulging in the luxury of exceptional wine and cuisine from the Provence region of France. Comité Mistral, a French luxury consortium, will offer samples of several select brands, a number of which are making their American debut. Attendees will taste delectable wines from seven prestigious vineyards along with delightful candies, cookies and coffee from the regions finest producers.

“We are so pleased to be joined by Comité Mistral this year,” comments co-producer Tony Fusco. “When we approached them about sponsorship, there was no hesitation on their part. This is a fantastic collection of brands owned by some truly wonderful people.”

Available for tasting will be a variety of red and white wines from Château Minuty, Château Pampelonne, Domaines Bunan, Bastide Blanche, Château la Calisse, Villa Baulieu and L’Affectif. In addition, guests will enjoy seafood specialties by Ferrigno, candies and cakes from Calissons du Roy René and the Biscuiterie de Provence, and coffee by Malongo. For those seeking to indulge a sense other than taste, Marius Fabre will sample the artisan soaps that they have been making for over 110 years. The evening will also feature perfume from Fragonard, one of the world’s most respected brands.

More information about the brands of Comité Mistral can be found on their website at www.comite-mistral.com or by emailing info@comite-mistral.com.

Shriners Hospitals for Children-Boston is one of the world’s leading centers for treating children with severe burns, orthopaedic conditions or those who need reconstructive surgery for scars or cleft lip and palate. They provide a compassionate, family-centered and collaborative care environment, regardless of a patient or family’s ability to pay. Comité Mistral is honored that their fine products can benefit such an outstanding organization, through so lovely an event. Tickets to the Gala Preview are $250 and may be purchased through Shriners Hospitals for Children-Boston by calling 617-371-4746.

The Gala Preview, bolstered by the show’s Honorary Committee, has blossomed in to veritable who’s who of the Boston art world. In addition to Governor Deval L. Patrick and Boston Mayor Thomas Menino, the Honorary Committee has attracted the participation of numerous museum directors including Brian T. Allen, Director, Addison Gallery of American Art; Katherine French, Director, Danforth Museum; Dennis Kois, Director, DeCordova Museum; Thomas Lentz, Director, Harvard Art Museums; Nancy Netzer, Director, McMullen Museum of Art; Malcolm Rogers, Director, MFA Boston; Matthias Waschek, Worcester Art Museum; and a number of well-known Boston area museum curators.

The only show of its kind in New England, BIFAS has no restrictions on the type of work that may be shown.  Works on offer range from fine original prints priced at a few hundred dollars to museum-quality masterpiece paintings priced in the millions.  The show enjoys a stunning mix of both blue chip traditional works and today's outstanding contemporary artists. Last year, close to 3,500 people attended the show, which saw very strong sales.

Weekend hours are Friday 1pm-8pm, Saturday 11am-8pm and Sunday 11am-5pm.  Tickets are $15, under 12 free.  Special guest speakers and panels take place throughout the weekend.  For information, visit www.FineArtBoston.com or call 617-363-0405.