Celebrating the arts in Frisco
Art aficionados in their best dress attended the Frisco Arts Association's 7th annual black-tie gala "The Art of Frisco" at the Westin Stonebriar Resort. Among the 240 attendees were U.S. Congressman Sam Johnson, Collin County Judge Keith Self, and Frisco Mayor Maher Maso. Sponsored by Newman Village, Farstar, Centennial Medical Center, and the City of Frisco, the gala highlighted Frisco's art-rich community and raised funds for local arts organizations and for Frisco students who wish to pursue a career in the arts.
The "Art of Frisco" opened with a silent auction including items such as jewelry, art, and photography, music and dance lessons, scholarships, and traveling getaways. The Frisco High School Chamber Quartet set the backdrop with classical music as guests mixed and mingled over champagne and hors d'oeuvres.
The evening's tempo picked up when the sound of the Frisco Jazz Band signaled guests to enter the formal dining room where they were welcomed by gala emcee William R. Park. Park is the founder and artistic director for PFAMily Arts and a Broadway veteran who brought the crowd to their feet when he sang "The Phantom of the Opera."
The live auction included a signed guitar by John Mayer, a two-week camp at Joffrey Ballet School in New York, and tickets to see "The Sound of Music from Salzburg" presented by the Plano Symphony Orchestra.
Six honorees were inducted into the Art Starters Advisory Board comprised of community leaders who have championed the arts over the last decade: Edmond Burke, Bill Darling, Richard and Kayla McKennon, Jim Newman, and Dr. Daryl Trent. The evening concluded with dancing.
Gala chair Justine Sweeney of Sweeney Media Group said she and her committee of volunteers were "thrilled" to raise over $28,000 this year. "A creative and cultural community is critical to building a community that thrives, develops with global changes, appreciates the beauty of its surroundings and understands the importance of connecting creativity with science, math and technology."
The gala would not have been possible without the support of its sponsors and volunteers. Said Sweeney, "Due to the gala efforts, Frisco Arts has been blessed with an infusion of community volunteers who are committed to the vision of arts and culture as an integral part of Frisco. I believe this is an exceptional foundation for the future of arts in Frisco."
View a Slideshow!
|
|
