By Chris Bavender
Mark your calendars for a not-to-be missed event. The 20th anniversary gala for the Art’s Council is set for 6 p.m. Nov. 2at the Lucas Sports Pavilion.
With its theme of “One Enchanted Evening,” the gala will include everything from a silent auction to dancing to the sounds of Henle and the Loops. Proceeds from the event will help benefit art scholarships for high school students.
“We held a gala for our 10th anniversary, and at that time we unveiled the plans for the Arts and Design district,” said Doreen Squire Ficara, executive director of the Arts Council and one of the event co-chairs. “Now, with our 20th, we are almost reinventing ourselves. We want to expand our outreach to seniors and continue to support and encourage young artists and authors.”
“We want people to come out not only to enjoy the evening but to help us carry on with our mission to reach all types of people and help bring joy by art into their world,” Squire Ficara said.
The new outreach programs will include a collaboration with Prevail to help gather art supplies for residents, art exhibits for new artists to encourage them in their work, a proposed partnership with Thornhurst residents highlighting the work of noted architect Avriel Shull and working with The Barrington of Carmel to bring the arts to older residents through new programs.
Since 1998, when the Arts Council first started giving art scholarships, $59,750 has been raised for the Young Performers Showcase and other performing, visual, instrumental and literary scholarships.
The Center for the Performing Arts also received $65,000 in 2007 from three galas held by the Council.
“Hundreds of dollars have also been given to deserving (nonprofit) groups over the years,” Squire Ficara said. “We’ve also purchased materials for Carmel Elementary’s Pinwheels for Peace project.”
For more information call 844-4989 or email [email protected] before Oct. 25. Tickets are $150 per person.
