Artworks! raised $25,000 this year to pay for arts programming at Farragut Elementary School. The new location at the trendy gallery “Royal/T Artspace” brought in 400 guests to a packed in crowd to celebrate the 500-piece gallery art show and adults-only cocktail evening with silent and live auctions.
“Artworks! has truly become a community event and a great party. Our attendance figures increased another 100 to over 400 people this year,” said Kathleen McKernin, event chairperson. The highlights of the evening were surprise entertainers that are parents at Farragut. Michael Manzanet’s group from Wonderworld Entertainment performed a human balancing gymnastics ensemble to stunned crowds. In addition, Lisa Kneebone sang with her strolling female barbershop quartet called “Sirens” to the delight of the attendees. “People loved the new space, delicious food, waitress ‘maid costumes,’ and we had more auction items than ever before so the shopping buzz was phenomenal. Everyone came away with some amazing buys and a terrific time,” McKernin said.
The most hotly contested auction item was a Bugs Bunny and Elmer Fudd animation cel by Culver City resident, Martha Sigall which brought in $1,400. Other hot items were a Mexican Riviera Cruise which fetched $750 (which the winner partly donated to Nancy DeFelice a first-grade teacher at Farragut) and a brand new BMW bike cruiser from Steve Marx, South Bay BMW.
This great space was provided by Susan Hancock from Royal/T. One of the favorite beverages was “sake-tini” drinks at a cocktail bar provided by Culver City Councilman Mehaul O’Leary of Joxer Daly’s. Lovely floral arrangements were provided by Culver Center Flowers. A print of “The Grinch” provided by Tim Dickson of Collectors Editions was another hot item.
Of note was the huge “Artworks! Bazaar” area provided by professional crafters, Lisa Levin and Christine Johnson. It included one-of-a-kind items by students as well as professional crafters.
During Artworks! the kids enjoyed their own evening of bouncing, tumbling and jumping entertainment at Josephson Academy of Gymnastics.
Sponsors included Royal/T Artspace, Walters Wholesale Electric Company, Servicon Systems, Ardmore, Lurie Cohen Family, P360/IVC, Post Haste Sound, SKN Beverly Hills, Roundabout Entertainment, Transcenders LLC, Illuminate, Jeff Caudill and Trailer Park, and Michael Haase & Jane Taubman of Christophe Beverly Hills.
“Community Art Day” on Sunday was a success with free arts and crafts for families and games and drama by Jonas Basom and Susan Porter. Girl Scout Troop 2305 provided a card-making activity to accompany the books they are collecting for “United Through Reading” as a part of their Bronze Award. Many books were contributed at Artworks! Community Art Day.
Farragut Principal Eileen Carroll said, “This was my first Artworks! I was thrilled to be part of the Farragut community of parent volunteers that put this on. It’s wonderful to showcase not only our student’s art, but be able to provide an arts education to our students because of the Artworks! fundraiser.”
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