The Fort Smith Regional Art Museum kicked off the month of May by kicking off a new benefit event May 1 at the museum. The inaugural An Art Affair drew more than 100 patrons who helped raise some $10,000.
A self-proclaimed "selfie extravaganza," the benefit included cameras on tables for guests to use, a photo booth and professional portraitist producing keepsakes for guests.
At a Glance
An Art Affair
Who: Fort Smith Regional Art Museum
What: The inaugural benefit gala drew more than 100 patrons and helped raise some $10,000
When: May 1
Where: Fort Smith Regional Art Museum
Next: Opening reception for Carol Dickie: An Artist’s Journey, 5-7 p.m. Thursday
Information: (479) 784-2787 or fsram.org
Hope Gala Run for the Roses
Who: Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation of Northwest Arkansas
What: The eighth annual gala featured the Kentucky Derby and a hat contest.
When: May 3
Where: Horton Farms in Gravette
Next: Run for the Rock, May 26
Information: (479) 443-9190, [email protected] or nwark.jdrf.org
Lee Ortega, museum executive director, tells me the gala committee is already working on the second annual An Art Affair, slated for Feb. 14, 2015.
Among those attending the affair among the art were Donna and Bill Kropp, Marcia and Timothy Wise, Cindy and Jim Swicegood, Marta and Greg Jones, Janie Evitts, Deanie Mehl, Sharen Reed, Pat and Jim Moore, Donna Wintory, Carol Bellew and Joann Neal.
Next up at the museum will be an opening reception Thursday evening for Carol Dickie: An Artist's Journey at the museum.
California Chrome and the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation of Northwest Arkansas both came out winners in the Run for the Roses on May 3. The nonprofit organization hosted their Hope Gala with a Kentucky Derby theme at Horton Farms in Gravette and supporters helped raise a record $275,000.
Guests were encouraged to don their best derby inspired attire, which manifested as seersucker suits, bucks, bright frocks and, of course, hats. Nikki Spurlock took top honors for best topper in the hat contest.
The group honored Dr. Adam Maass , a Mercy Clinic endocrinologist, for his passion for helping kids with juvenile diabetes, also known as Type 1 diabetes, and their families. Maass has volunteered numerous hours for the foundation and was instrumental in the establishment of a family camp at War Eagle for children and their parents.
Registration is open for the JDRF Rock the Run on May 26. The run helps support the camp.
Those making a run for the roses for JDRF included Laura and Craig Underwood, Suzy and Chuck Fehlig, Jennifer and Scott Huff, Michelle and Scott Gloeckler, Kris Honey and Karen Horton.
Columnist Carin Schoppmeyer can be reached by email at [email protected].
NAN Profiles on 05/11/2014