WEST PALM BEACH, FLA. (September 1, 2017) – As the sun went down – and the City of West Palm Beach celebrated the close of its always popular Summer in Paradise activities – the Waterfront was full of cheers from charity supporters who showed up to bid on the temporary art installation, Aesop’s Tables. The summer-long installation made its debut on June 1 and was sent off with much fanfare, as each table was auctioned off in support of a pre-assigned charity. In total, the City raised $11,550 for 25 local nonprofits, including Peggy Adams Animal Rescue League, Little Smiles and Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies Coalition of Palm Beach County, among others. As part of a crowd funding campaign, Aaron Wormus, famed local social media influencer and voice behind “A Guy on Clematis,” purchased six large tables and one small table to be kept throughout the City.
A direct tie to Mayor Jeri Muoio’s pledge declaring West Palm Beach as a City of Kindness, the storybook setting provided an opportunity for all to connect, explore local art, share their own stories and enjoy family-friendly activities on the West Palm Beach waterfront. Aesop’s Tables was presented by the City of West Palm Beach Art in Public Places and celebrated the talents of 19 local artists. The tables featured depictions of “The Jay and the Peacock,” “Tortoise and the Hare,” “The Lion and the Mouse,” and more. According to an online poll, Frank Navarrete’s depiction of “The Dog and The Shadow,” created on behalf of Peggy Adams Animal Rescue League, was the most favorite of waterfront guests.
“We are so pleased with the success of our Summer in Paradise theme this year,” said Mary Pinak, Community Events Manager for the City of West Palm Beach Department of Parks and Recreation. “The community came together in a variety of ways to make Aesop’s Tables a remarkable success, which waterfront visitors enjoyed all summer long.”
Wormus started a GoFundMe weeks in advance of the auction to purchase tables to stay in West Palm Beach. He raised nearly $2,500, which was used to purchase six large tables and one small kids table. The child-size tables were donated for the auction by Rhythm & Hues in support of Hurricane Harvey relief.
Additional benefitting nonprofits included: Adopt-A-Family of the Palm Beaches, Inc., American Cancer Society-Making Strides Against Breast Cancer, Autism Speaks, Children Seen and Heard, Cultural Council of Palm Beach County, Dress for Success Palm Beaches, Gulfstream Goodwill Industries, Habitat for Humanity, Legal Aid of Palm Beach County, Inc., Life’s Changes Palm Beach County, Inc., Meals on Wheels of the Palm Beaches, Nonprofits First, Pathfinders Scholarship Fund, Quantum House, Resource Depot, Seagull Services, Sister Cities of Delray Beach, Inc., Susan G Komen South Florida, The Arc of Palm Beach County, The Take Heed Theater Company, Inc., United Way of Palm Beach County and Urban Youth Impact.
For more information about the City of West Palm Beach’s free community events, please visit www.wpb.org/events or call (561) 822-1515. For news and updates, follow the City of West Palm Beach on Facebook @CityofWPB and on Twitter and Instagram @westpalmbch.
###
SUMMER IN PARADISE Sponsors included: City of West Palm Beach Art in Public Places Program, The Palm Beach Post, Palm Beach Daily News, Coca-Cola, West Palm Beach Marriott, WPBF News 25, 97.9 WRMF, 103.1 WIRK, SUNNY 107.9, X 102.3, 850 AM, 640AM, Beatz, Discover the Palm Beaches, Visit Palm Beach, Downtown Development Authority, Northwood Village, the Historic Northwest, the West Palm Beach Community Redevelopment Agency, the Hilton West Palm Beach, Best Western Palm Beach Lakes, All My Sons Moving and Storage, Jet Ride and the Cultural Council of the Palm Beaches. For updates and promotions, like https://www.facebook.com/CityofWPB
More About City of West Palm Beach Summer In Paradise
SUMMER IN PARADISE is a partnership between The City of West Palm Beach, the West Palm Beach Community Redevelopment Agency, the West Palm Beach Downtown Development Authority, Visit Palm Beach, Northwood Village, Historic Northwest Neighborhood, the Cultural Council of Palm Beach County and Discover the Palm Beaches showcasing West Palm Beach as an international destination full of events, activities, art, entertainment and fun. Summer in Paradise collectively includes 90 days of nonstop events and happenings in the Northwest Neighborhood, Northwood Village and Downtown West Palm Beach starting June 1, 2017 through the end of August.