Turn out for the annual benefit, Art Awakening, Making Art Accessible to All, on May 4, 2018, created a full house and a hugely successful event, with up to 275 attendees and $144,000 raised to support scholarships, programming and gallery exhibits throughout the year.
“We’ve been working hard to get the word out, share information on our classes, summer camp, pop up workshops and gallery events. This was our biggest fundraiser of the year, but it was also a party to celebrate our community,” said James M. Lynch, newly appointed Executive Director of TAC. “Turn out and support was better than expected and the atmosphere of the night was truly celebratory, with old friends coming together and new friends experiencing us for the first time.”
Mistress of Ceremonies, Janet Davies, local journalist and host of 190 North, welcomed guests including honorees Amy Amdur, producer of art festivals through Amdur Productions, and faculty members Amy Butts, jewelry making, and Ana Spencer Reed, ceramics teacher.
TAC Spring Benefit Co-Chairs Jacqueline Lotzoff & Wren Williams
Board President Gwen Heyman and husband, Scott
Caren Rudman, TAC curator, and Jacqueline Chilow, director-of-events.
Executive Director James M. Lynch and Mistress of Ceremonies Janet Davies.
During the presentations Amdur shared a painting she had done as a child in her TAC HP classes, and talked of how that influenced her throughout her life and career. Amy Butts and Ana Spencer Reed spoke passionately about the influence of the arts on the confidence and development of their younger students and the need for people to support the arts, including scholarship programming to confirm the mission of the evening ‘Making Art Available to All’.
As backdrop to the evening, the gallery show was Impermanent Lands with works by Nicole Gordon and Jennifer Presant, plus over 35 other local artists who contributed works for the eco-Art exhibit. The event wasco-chaired by Jacqueline Lotzoff and Wren Williams, both of Highland Park, and featured outstanding entertainment by Midwest Young Artists, CoverGirls Violin performers, a little magic by Jeff Bibik and DJ services by Stand Up and Clap. Food and drink was supplied by Beelow’s Steakhouse, Bent Fork Bakery, Bluegrass Restaurant, Luc Belair Luxe Wines, Carol’s Cookies, Vin Chicago, Highland Pop, Sweet Shot Cookies, Stolen Distilleries, Sunset Foods, New York Slices, Sushi Kushi, Wildfire Steaks. Chops and Seafood,Tamales, Ravinia Brewery, Yummy Bowl and Catered by Design. Décor was by Kleifield Design, The Flower Shop in Glencoe and Floral Gardens.
Submitted by The Art Center – Highland Park
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