CREATIVITY FLOWS AT CIRCUS AT THE CENTER KICKOFF EVENT
Center for Creative Education hosts kickoff for inaugural Circus at the Center event
(West Palm Beach, Fla.) When a group of artists gets together to chair a benefit, you can bet that it will be a masterpiece – colorful, creative and most of all fun. This was the case when Center for Creative Education board member and event ringmaster Bruce Helander teamed with co-chairs, and mother daughter duo, Donna Long and Wendy Fritz, to announce plans for the upcoming “Circus at the Center” to benefit CCE. They staged their “Three Ring Cocktails” kick-off reception at the Mark Borghi Fine Art gallery on Worth Avenue and toasted the exciting plans for Tuesday, January 28th and the inaugural benefit at CCE’s new home in Northwood.
Painted as a fun, casual event that will capture the zany excitement of being a little kid under the big top, Circus at the Center is billed as the greatest little party on earth – inviting guests to dress in “circus chic” for great food, dancing and themed entertainment.
“If you remember the must-attend, ‘Over the Big Top’ events CCE threw for many years,” said Helander, “Circus at the Center will be a fresh take on that benefit, taking place at CCE’s newly opened Center in the hip NorthwoodVillage section of West Palm Beach. The party will start with cocktails and the magic will build from there.” Designer Bruce Sutka will transform the space into a circus feel.
In addition to the event chairmen, guests at the kick off reception included committee members, board members and event sponsors, Carl Bartel, Cheryl Gowdy, Vicki Halmos, Robert Hamon, Kenn Karakul, Wyatt Koch, Tim and Susan Malloy, Talbott Maxey, Ross Meltzer, Brad and Pamela Miller, Jim Pappas, and Butch and Melinda Trucks.
Helander has created an original collage illustration of circus art for the event, which sets the tone and gives guests an idea of the fun evening ahead. A limited edition giclée print, hand-embellished by Helander, will be for sale, with all net proceeds benefiting CCE.
Helander is a well-established collage artist, curator and a writer for The Huffington Post. He graduated from the Rhode Island School of Design with both his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in fine arts, and later went on to serve as RISD’s provost and vice president of academic affairs. Additionally, the West Palm Beach resident is a former White House Fellow of the National Endowment for the Arts and recipient of numerous recognitions.
Palm Beach resident and Circus at the Center co-chair Donna Long has had a vivid life as an artist, philanthropist and horsewoman. A renowned photographer and painter, Mrs. Long’s work is currently on display at ArtHouse429 in the Northwood section of West Palm Beach near the CCE building.
Currently a sales associate for The Corcoran Real Estate Group, Circus at the Center co-chair Wendy Fritz recently returned to the area with her family. A West Palm Beach resident and active equestrian, Mrs. Fritz has been involved in training, buying and selling, and showing horses for the past 30 years.
The three co-chairmen, along with honorary chair Jane Holzer, are leading a host committee which includes Maribel Alvarez, Carl Bartel, Harry and Gigi Benson, Beau and Jackie Breckenridge, Gordon and Jane Brown, Peter Burrus, Susie Dwinell, William Eubanks, Paul and Irina Fisher, Cheryl Gowdy, William Halliday, Vicki Halmos, Claudia Helander, Michael and Eleanora Kennedy, Margaret Luce, Hillary Matchett, Emily Dimaggio, Tim and Susan Malloy, Blanche McCoun, Ross Meltzer, Pamela Miller, Pamela O’Connor, Jim Pappas, Georgia Pappas, Jillian Percella, Allison Reckson, Lisa Rowan, Edwina Sandys and Richard Kaplan, Linda and Jared Soper, Bruce Sutka, Butch and Melinda Trucks, Michele Vogel , Lauri Welteroth and Lynne Wise Smith. The junior host committee includes Amanda Boalt, Jack Elkins, Camila Helander, Wyatt Koch, Morgan O’Connor, India Paull, Tyler Sargent and Ben Stein. Sponsors for the event include the Liman Foundation, Palm Beach Media Group, Tito’s Handmade Vodka, Mark Borghi Fine Arts, Onli Beverages and Wilmington Trust.
The Center for Creative Education works with children from low income neighborhoods, using art as a gateway to help them understand science, math, literacy and other areas of learning. CCE merges art with academics to bring learning to life, by engaging children in hands on, project-based education.
“Visual, performing and language arts enhance a student’s knowledge of traditional subjects,” said Robert Hamon, the CEO of CCE. “So painting, music and dance are used to increase a child’s grasp of literacy, math and science. We are grateful to Bruce, Donna and Wendy, along with their incredible committee, for planning such an amazing fundraiser in our new home. Our work with local children is important and we’re thrilled with the opportunity to spotlight it with this fun event.”
Last year, the Center worked with more than 12,500 children in nearly 70 school sites all over Palm Beach County providing after-school and in school programming to many students considered “at risk” or those in low socio-economic circumstances. Research shows that arts-integrated programs like those offered by the Center for Creative Education improve a child’s learning potential and academic performance; and that increases their overall enthusiasm about school. Working on projects with CCE artists also build children’s self-esteem and encourage cooperation, team-building and creative thinking.
The Center for Creative Education is a not-for-profit 501(C) (3) organization, relying on grants and donations from private individuals and community organizations to support its work with the children.
Tickets to the Circus at the Center event are $275 for individuals and $500 for a couple. Please call 561.805.9927or visit www.cceflorida.org to learn more about the organization or to buy tickets.
Photo credit: Christopher Fay
1. Robert Hamon and Bruce Helander
2. Scott Moses and Pamela O’Connor
