All exhibitions at the Armory Art Center, 811 Park Place, West Palm Beach, FL 33401Phone: 561-832-1776. Gallery Hours: Monday – Friday 10:00 a.m.-4:00pm. Saturday 10:00 a.m.-Noon. Closed Sunday. Please refer to the website for the current Armory Art Center COVID-19 protocols. Galleries are free & open to the public. For more information click on this link.
COVID Memorial Quilt sponsored by Jupiter Medical Center
September 10 – December 6
Opening Reception: Friday, September 10, 5-7 p.m.
East Gallery
Grassy Waters Annual Nature Photo Contest
September 17 – October 2
Sam Perry Retrospective
October 15 – November 19
Opening reception: Friday, October 15, 5-7 p.m.
Montgomery Hall
Art of the BraveHeARTS
November 10 – December 5
Opening Reception: Wednesday, November 10, 5-7 p.m.
Montgomery Hall
Seas of Tranquility, Michael Las Casas
December 10 – December 30
Opening Reception: Friday, December 10, 5-7 p.m.
Montgomery Hall 1
Previously Loved, Pamela Tatti
December 10 – December 30
Opening Reception: Friday, December 10, 5-7 p.m.
Montgomery Hall 2
Armory Artist Show
January 7 – 28
Opening Reception: Friday, January 7, 5-7 p.m.
Montgomery Hall
Armory Faculty Show
January 7 – 28
Opening Reception: Friday, January 7, 5-7 p.m. East Gallery
Grandma’s Place Holiday Luncheon rings in the Season
Manda and Jodie
On Tuesday, November 30th, Grandma’s Place will hold its 6th Annual Luncheon at The Sailfish Club in Palm Beach. We are thrilled to announce that Jodie Schmitz and Manda Galin is Co-Chairing this event with Herme De Wyman Miro as the International Honorary Chair. Committee Members include: Missy Agnello, Diana Berman, Kristi Bomar, Kelly Brenner, Susy Burrowes, Leslie Byck, Patty Cooke, Margaret Donnelley, Ali Govier, Patti Hadden, Barbara Hollender, Eleanor Jones, Cynthia Mascia, Mary Lewis Moews, Adreana Moss, Joan O’Connell, Toni O’Brien, Kat Ogg, Amy Quattlebaum, Dina Rubio, Eve Sauer, Donna Scully, Valerie Seifert, and George Swan, Jr.
The luncheon starts at 11:30 am with a wine reception and a fabulous silent auction. During lunch there will be a small live auction by Neil Saffer while local CBS12 News Anchor Liz Quirantes once again graciously serves as the celebrity emcee. This event is “In Memory” of Lou Ann Wilson-Swan, the founder and previous Chair of the luncheon.
The proceeds benefit Grandma’s Place, which provides shelter and loving care to children who have suffered abuse or neglect and have been removed from their homes, and also provides respite care for young children with disabilities while offering support to their parents/caregivers to maximize each child’s safety and success.
Tickets are $200 per person or tables can be purchased for $1,800 each. To receive an invitation, donate an auction item, purchase a ticket, or sponsor the event, please call Roxanne Jacobs at 561-376-0488, e-mail roxanne@grandmasplacepb.org or visit www.grandmasplacepb.org .
Wellington Partners with Health Department to OfferCOVID-19 Vaccines on August 21st
Wellington, in partnership with the Florida Department of Health, will bring a mobile vaccination unit to Town Center on Saturday, August 21, 2021, from 9 AM to Noon.
The State-staffed mobile unit will be stationed near the Wellington Community Center (located at 12150 Forest Hill Blvd). No appointment is needed.
Those interested in receiving the vaccine will have the option to choose between the Pfizer vaccine (ages 12 and older) and the Moderna vaccine (ages 18 and older). A parent must be present for anyone age 17 and younger.
To ensure the health and safety of testing staff and community members, we ask that everyone wear a mask.
For updates on Wellington’s ongoing response to COVID-19 coronavirus, please visit the Village’s Coronavirus Information web page.
As another way to stay informed on the latest news and updates from the Village, residents are invited to sign up for Wellington information and updates at www.wellingtonfl.gov/Newsletter.
The Armory Art Center is excited to announce their upcoming season of exhibitions and events. Opening and closing with dynamic traveling exhibitions, the season will be punctuated with annual exhibitions, featured artists, Art of the BraveHeARTS by military veterans, and exhibitions by Armory students, faculty, and artists-in-residence in addition to special fundraising events.
The moving COVID Memorial Quilt exhibition sponsored by Jupiter Medical Center will take place September 10th to December 6th. This emotional work created by rising ninth-grader Madeleine Fugate memorializes those lost to COVID-19 by displaying quilts comprised of squares submitted by their loved ones. This is the only south Florida exhibition of the COVID Memorial Quilt. The Grassy Waters Annual Nature Photo Contest exhibition will be on display from September 7th to October 2nd, followed by the Sam Perry Retrospective October 15th to November 19th. November 10th through December 5th the Armory will display Art of the BraveHeARTS. This Armory Art Center program began in 2018 to promote the rehabilitation of military service veterans from the VA Medical Center in West Palm Beach to help build self-esteem, nurture talent, and develop new skills through the visual arts. Seas of Tranquility by Michael Las Casas and Previously Loved by Pamela Tatti will follow this, both on exhibition from December 10th through December 30th. The new year opens with both the Armory Artist Show and the Armory Faculty Show on display from January 7th through January 28th. Next up is the Armory’s Artists-in-Residence exhibition from February 4th through February 25th. This exhibition will provide the opportunity to see the work of the Armory’s four artists-in-residence for this season. The Regional Scholastic Art & Writing Awards for Palm Beach and Martin Counties will be on display from February 9th through February 19th. The season will close with Michelangelo’s Sistine Chapel from March 11th to April 26th. This traveling exhibition from Los Angeles-based SEE Attractions showcases the awe and wonder of one of mankind’s greatest artistic achievements. With expertise and care, each ceiling fresco has been reproduced in its near original size using state-of-the-art technology. Altogether, the exhibition will feature thirty-four displayed reproductions, including internationally recognized The Creation of Adam and The Last Judgement.
All exhibitions take place at the Armory Art Center, 811 Park Place, West Palm Beach, FL 33401. Gallery Hours: Monday – Friday 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday 10 a.m.-Noon. Closed Sunday. Please refer to the website for the current Armory Art Center COVID-19 protocols. Galleries are free & open to the public. For more information click on this link.
The 5th Annual West Palm Beach Arts Festival presented by the Armory Art Center will be held on December 4th and 5th from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. outdoors at the Armory campus. The festival will feature local and out-of-town artists, live music, demonstrations, food trucks, and activities for all ages. The last Festival brought 6,000 visitors and ninety-five artists with work representing the mediums of drawing, painting, photography, printmaking, mixed media, ceramics, sculpture, fiber, jewelry glass and furniture. Scheduled at the perfect time for holiday shopping, socially distanced tents will be located outdoors in the sculpture garden and in the parking lot. Artist applications have closed for this juried festival. For more information go to https://armoryart.org/festival/.
The Armory Art Center’s Annual Winter Gala, chaired by Janet Adler Schur, will be a fun celebration of art on Friday January 21, 2022, from 6 to 8 p.m. Enjoy cocktails and hors d’oeuvres, live entertainment, an auction, and beautiful artwork all while supporting the Armory Art Center’s reimagined programs. Tickets are $250 each. Go to https://armoryart.org/special-events/ for more information and to purchase tickets.
The inaugural ARTISTRY exhibition and sale will take place March 1 – 5, 2022. This new exhibition and sale will feature art to wear creations from national artisans. Daily lectures, demonstrations, and tours will be available attendees. Enjoy light refreshments while you shop for unique, one-of-a-kind pieces. Hours are Tuesday through Thursday, March 1 – 3 from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., Friday, March 4 from 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. and Saturday, March 5 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. General Admission: $20. Join event chairs Lynn Feld and Linda Silpe for an exclusive opening night party on February 28, 2022, from 6 to 8 p.m. Guests will enjoy cocktails and hors d’oeuvres while shopping for unique art to wear creations by national artisans. Tickets are $150 each. Go to https://armoryart.org/special-events/ for more information and to purchase tickets.
I first met John Tutino when he was my music coach three years ago – I had signed up for Adult Rock Band Camp at Village Music in Wellington. He was a fantastic music teacher and coach. Our group of musicians (starting at all different levels of expertise) actually formed a band and stayed together for almost 3 years, playing gigs and practicing together twice a week. We had a ball! We called ourselves “D-Railed,” only because we would often find that our conversations (about what song to play next) got derailed. But I digress. Enough about me.
More about John, also known as JT. He’s a virtuoso sax and guitar player. I’ve seen him perform many times and he’s equally amazing on both instruments. He has that spark, which drives him to write music. Plus he has that sensibility, that helps him to understand the dynamics of music and get the levels right in a recording. Let’s get right into the interview.
AW: Tell us about your new jazz album “Duality.” Why is it titled “Duality?”
JT: The obvious characteristic of that name is that I play two different instruments (guitar and sax), a quite uncommon doubling in the jazz world. Also, I grew up in classic rock era and fell in love with jazz in the 90s. Meanwhile, I’m in real estate and music, dual career for 30 years. I’m a Gemini. So these four things became clear to the naming of the album. “Duality” seemed like a perfect fit. I self-released an album about 10 years ago, Full Moon Rising (2009). Now, in 2021, this is my big opportunity through Bentley Records. I’m excited to be signed by a record label.
Check out this promotional video featuring the JT Jazz Quartet:
AW: Tell us a little about yourself as a musician. When did you start playing music?
JT: I started playing guitar at 8 years old. Guitar was an easy choice…my earliest experience with music that I can remember was at 3 or 4 years old. They called me Johnny Boy when I was a boy. “Johnny B. Goode” by Chuck Berry came on the radio, and I was dancing around the room playing pretend guitar with a broomstick. At 8 years old, guitar was a natural choice for me when I started playing. I grew up listening to Rush, Van Halen, Stevie Ray Vaughn, Led Zeppelin, and many other bands. When I went to Berklee College of Music in Boston, MA, that’s when I was really heavily introduced to jazz. My roommate had hundreds of jazz CDs on the wall that exposed me to so many great jazz artists. Jazz became a part of my life. I started playing the sax in my late 20s. I wanted to make this one of my main instruments around 1997 (I was about 28), I rented one and then bought one. People said it would be very difficult, but I started an instrument late in life and got a record deal late in life too.
AW: Tell us about the other three musicians in your jazz quartet.
JT: They are Mark Doyle on piano, Harley Galeano on drums and Josh Ewers on bass. All are native Floridians, and all of them are from Palm Beach County. Mark is from my generation. The other two, Harley and Josh, are still in their 20s.
Met them hanging out at local jazz gigs and jam sessions. Mark is seasoned and dynamic. Josh and Harley already sound like seasoned guys, have a mature sound at a young age and are very versatile musicians.
AW: Are you having an event to release the album?
JT: Saturday, Oct. 9th at Village Music in Wellington at 8pm. There are limited seats. Tickets may be purchased on www.Johntutino.com/shows
AW: What do you love about jazz? What kind of jazz would you identify your music as?
It’s not smooth jazz. Most of the songs on this album would be characterized as Modern/ traditional/ straight ahead/ swing, with a couple of funky fusion jazz tunes mixed in there. When it comes to jazz, I like the improvisational nature and the band communication that you don’t get with a lot of other styles. Also, it’s an absolute LIVE genre. For the most part, you cannot multi-track and layer it in the studio. Has to be played and recorded live.
AW: Do you teach music? Tell us about this project you are doing on the art of improvisation.
JT: I’m developing an improv music workshop/course. I’m still in the research and development phase. I’m interviewing musicians and researching the topic. This workshop will be offered online and maybe in person locally where I live.
AW: Tell us about your family.
JT: Teri and Gianni (5) in Kindergarten. Gianni is already a fantastic drummer, guitar player and piano player. His main instrument is drums though, he’s just in love with them. Teri is a very talented and successful hairdresser in Palm Beach County. She actually has a reputation of being the curly hair queen.
AW: Do you live near Wellington? And what do you love about the area?
JT: We live in the Acreage. I love the Acreage because we have no HOA, freedom, a little bit of land. Horses and cows are around the corner and down the street. We love Wellington too, and all that Western PBC has to offer, and we have been here for almost 10 years.
AW: How can people get a copy of the new album? Will it be released via Apple Music? How do you make money from music downloads, by the way?
JT: Bentley Records released it today (8/11/21) online on all digital stores, including Apple, Amazon, Spotify and others. People can stream and/or do a digital download. I’m also selling the physical CD on my website; it will be autographed. For those who get the CD, it comes with free digital download as well. As a musician, I earn several types of royalties from all sales and streaming including my physical CD.
AW: Where did you record the album? All original songs?
JT: We recorded it at Echo Beach Studios in Jupiter. Celine Dion has recorded there plus other well-known artists. The album consists of 5 originals and 3 standards. I arranged and produced all 8, and wrote the 5 originals. Bentley Records has already given me another album release option, so I’ll be working on the next one soon.
AW: Anything you’d like to add?
JT: I want people to realize that – If you have a passion, you can’t quit. There were many who said to me, “You’ll never get a record deal after 40. Quit now, or you’ll fall into a depression; do it as a hobby.” However, don’t listen to people who try to crush your dreams; instead, follow your passion. I kept at it and kept my nose to the grindstone. I toured the U.S. from 2011 to 2014 and literally played thousands of gigs in the last 30 years never allowing anyone to tell me what I should do or not do, although I took the advice at times from the people who had done it and were trying to help me. You need to stay open to that. Then, most recently, I’m happy to say that the Record company (Bentley) approached me, saying they liked my music and they liked my branding, and the rest is history. So never say never and remember persistence is one of the absolute keys to success!
To Find the Album:
Just search for “Duality” and “JT Jazz” on your music app of choice
Or go to www.JohnTutino.com/Buy-Music
To Attend the Album Release Party on October 9th at Village Music:
Purchase tickets. www.Johntutino.com/Shows
With your purchase of a ticket, you’ll get a signed copy of the CD.
Special pre-season pricing for Ballet Palm Beach’s 2021-2022 season of dance will be available from August 20 to September 9, 2021. All tickets purchased online at kravis.org or by phone at (561) 832-7469 or (800) 572-8471 using promo code BPB2021 during this period will be discounted twenty percent. “Our dancers are longing to see a live audience again,” said Colleen Smith, the ballet’s Founding Artistic and Executive Director. “We’re offering this special incentive to our patrons so they can secure the best seats in the house early.”
Ballet Palm Beach is incredibly proud to announce that all three of this year’s performances will be produced at The Kravis Center for the Performing Arts with all health and safety protocols in place. The 2021-2022 season will open with Peter Pan & Tinker Bell Thursday through Sunday, October 14 – 17, 2021 in the Rinker Playhouse. Peter Pan & Tinker Bell, the beloved fairy tale will delight audiences young and old alike. It explores the relationship between Peter Pan and Tinker Bell before Wendy Darling’s appearance in his life in Neverland.
The Nutcracker will once again be performed in the grand 2,195-seat Dreyfoos Hall Saturday and Sunday, December 4 and 5, 2021. With its superior acoustics and magnificent aesthetics, this venue ensures an unforgettable experience for every guest. The Nutcracker is the coming-of-age story of Marie who receives a mysterious gift on Christmas Eve. Adventures ensue as Tchaikovsky’s score draws Marie into a terrifying battle with the Mouse King, through a mystical snowstorm, and to the Kingdom of the Sugar Plum Fairy. The Nutcracker has become a holiday tradition for all ages, delighting both the young and the young-at-heart.
In addition, Ballet Palm Beach is honored to perform Giselle in the Rinker Playhouse Friday through Sunday, March 4 – 6, 2022. This ghost-filled ballet tells the tragic, romantic story of a beautiful young peasant girl who falls for the flirtations of the deceitful and disguised nobleman Albrecht. When the ruse is revealed, the fragile Giselle dies of heartbreak, and Albrecht must face the otherworldly consequences of his careless seduction.
Specially priced tickets for all three Kravis Center performances go on sale August 20, 2021 with promo code BPB2021. Full price tickets for Peter Pan & Tinker Bell and Giselle at the Rinker Theater are $45. Full price tickets for The Nutcracker at Dreyfoos Hall range from $25 to $95. Full price tickets go on sale to the public on September 10, 2021, at 10 a.m. Visit the Kravis Center’s official website kravis.org or call (561) 832-7469 or (800) 572-8471.
To Host 16 Healthy & Informative Events in September, Including Exotics & Orchid Sale, Dogs’ Day in the Garden, Qi Jong, Art Journal Classes & Workshop, and Introduction to Bonsai & Saikei
+ Sketchbook Journal Class – September 7, 14, 21, 28
+ Watercolor Journal Class – September 7, 14, 21, 28
+ Qi Gong – September 1, 8, 15, 29
+ Dogs’ Day in the Garden – September 12
+ Exotics & Orchid Sale – September 18-19
+ Journal Making Workshop – September 23
+ Introduction to Bonsai and Saikei – September 25
(West Palm Beach, FL – August 16, 2021) Friends of the Mounts Botanical Garden will be hosting 16 outstanding open-air events in September, including annual Exotics & Orchid Sale, art classes, Dogs’ Day in the Garden, Qi Gong, and more for people of all ages.
“Palm Beach County’s oldest and largest botanical garden is inviting garden enthusiasts, plant lovers, and proud ‘green-thumbers’ of all ages to come out and enjoy some of our many safe, healthy and happy horticultural activities in September, including our always popular Exotics & Orchid Sale,” says Mounts Curator-Director RochelleWolberg.
Art Classes
September 7, 14, 21, 28
Sketchbook Journal Classes for Adults
Tuesdays, 9 am to 11 am
$20 for members; $25 for nonmembers / Includes full garden admission
Registration is required; class size is limited to 15 adults.
September 7, 14, 21, 28
Watercolor Journal Classes for Adults
Tuesdays, 11:30 am to 1:30 pm
$20 for members; $25 for nonmembers / Includes full garden admission
Registration is required; class size is limited to 15 adults.
Art Classes Notes:
Share your love of art and nature with fellow sketchers or painters. Sign up for Sketchbook Journal, or Watercolor Journal, or both! Each class will begin with a nature walk through the Garden led by artist/instructor Carl Stoveland. The purpose of the walk is to give participants the opportunity to take reference photos with their phone or tablet to use in the class. The group will then move indoors, where the instructor will start with a quick demo topic then guide the class through the drawing or painting process, showing how explorations can be recorded and translated into a journal. Classes are for adults only and open to all levels, from novice to artist and will be tailored to the group. Participants should bring pencils, pens, paints (whatever they like to work with really) sketchpad or watercolor pad, a journal, and their cell phone or tablet.
$10 per class for members; $15 per class for nonmembers / includes (full Garden admission
Registration is required; class size is limited to 15 adults.
Relieve stress and increase personal metabolism, flexibility, and strength. Qi Gong (pronounced chee-gong) is an ancient Chinese exercise and healing technique. The exercises include simple, slow movements (which mimic nature), meditation and focused breathing — similar to Tai Chi. Each class is held inside with social distancing and will be led by Roxanne Cumberland.
FREE for members; $10 for nonmembers; $5 for children 5-12 /
includes full Garden admission
This dog-and-family-friendly monthly event is held throughout the Garden. Bring your beloved pooch to enjoy a relaxed garden stroll. There are many great spots to capture family photos for posting online with #mountsbotanicalgarden.
Guidelines:
+ Non-retractable leashes only; retractable leashes are not permitted.
+ No more than one dog per adult will be admitted.
+ Rabies vaccination must be current.
+ Visitors should bring their own and water treats for the puppies.
FREE for members; $10 for nonmembers; $5 for children,5-12 / includes full Garden admission
Registration is required; tour size is limited to 15 adults
The west end of the Garden will be filled with an amazing selection of orchids and exotic plants from more than 30 of South Florida’s premier vendors. Visitors will find dazzling orchids, begonias, bromeliads, ferns, hoyas, aroids, garden art, baskets, and much more. Tickets can be purchased at the gate.
September 23
Journal Making Workshop
Thursday, 11 am to 1 pm
$30 for members; $35 for nonmembers / includes full Garden admission
Registration is required; class size is limited.
Join this fun class and create your own Nature Journal with fiber artist Rita Boutros. Learn how to personalize by adding vintage ephemera, sewn elements, pressed flowers and leaves. You will also be able to apply what you have learned to other projects, such as bookmarks and mini notebooks. All materials are provided.
$35 for members; $40 for nonmembers / includes full Garden admission
Registration is required; class size is limited.
Have you ever wanted to try your hand at Bonsai or wanted to learn about the ancient art of Saikei? Michael Spencer will discuss the difference between Bonsai and Saikei and teach participants how to begin the process of creating their own Bonsai or mini Saikei forest. Participants will be able to design their own starter plant and learn the basic tools needed for the maintenance of these miniature living treasures. Plant and Bonsai container will be provided. You may bring your own garden snips or small scissors; if you don’t have tools, small scissors will be provided.
About Mounts Botanical Garden of Palm Beach County:
With a mission to inspire and educate through nature, Mounts Botanical Garden is Palm Beach County’s oldest and largest botanical garden. Visitors to this 14-acre tropical oasis will see an acclaimed collection of 25 unique garden areas containing more than 5,000 species of tropical and sub-tropical plants, including Florida natives, exotic and tropical fruit trees, herbs, palms, roses, cactus, bromeliads and much more. Mounts Botanical Garden is part of the Palm Beach County Cooperative Extension Department, in partnership with the University of Florida and the non-profit Friends of the Mounts Botanical Garden. This project is sponsored in part by The Board of County Commissioners, the Tourist Development Council, and the Cultural Council for Palm Beach County. Mounts Botanical is located at 531 North Military Trail in West Palm Beach. For more information, please visit www.mounts.org.
Take Stock in Children and Target teamed up for 13th annual ‘Back to School Shopping’ event to support, boost confidence for 50 Palm Beach County students in need
August 11, 2021 – West Palm Beach, Fla. – Take Stock in Children Palm Beach County, in partnership with Target, was thrilled to host its 13th annual ‘Back to School Shopping’ event to make heading back to school brighter for 50 Palm Beach County students who live in poverty. The Aug. 6 shopping ‘spree’ at Target, 5900 State Rd. 7, in Lantana, gave students, ages 13 – 18, the freedom and chance to pick out personalized items and pay for them with $200 gift cards, generously sponsored by The Law Firm of C. Debra Welch and underwritten by private donors from the community.
Unique to Take Stock in Children’s Back to School Shopping initiative, is the pairing up of the nonprofit’s donors and mentors with sponsored students for the chance to meet, and share smiles while they shop.
“It’s so important for our students to realize that there are people in the community who want to help them reach their educational goals and have the opportunity to meet them, for that real-world experience and the chance to say, ‘thank you,’” said Nancy Stellway, Executive Director, Take Stock in Children Palm Beach County.
“I am filled with such gratitude to Debra Welch, the extended community and Target, for once again, making it possible for Take Stock in Children to uplift kids and give them the boost they need to feel confident and ready to learn, when they return to campus.”
“It is a real privilege to partner again with Take Stock in Children Palm Beach County and Target to help students begin the school year with the things they need to achieve academically,” said Debra Welch, Esq., of The Law Firm of C. Debra Welch, in Palm Beach Gardens. “Nothing can more positively impact a child’s life than a positive and successful educational experience.”
In its 26th year, with the graduation and two-year scholarship awards to 111 seniors from Palm Beach County schools, Take Stock in Children Palm Beach County once again cebrated a 100% success rate of the students it serves. Mentoring and college readiness programs are at work to further the nonprofit’s vision: to help children break out of the cycle of poverty that surrounds them with higher education. The organization awarded nearly $1 million in scholarships to Palm Beach County students in the graduating class of 2021.
We help kids from economically- distressed families, dream, plan, and achieve higher educational goals – with an eye on the prize – to break out of the poverty cycle that surrounds them. College scholarships are awarded to students who earn them, by adhering to a goal-focused, consistent contract of agreement, signed by students and parents. Our 98% success rate is achieved with an innovative program of wraparound, supportive services that begin with recruitment in middle schools, launch with the start of high-school, and remain in place through college completion. Take Stock in Children Palm Beach County is supported by a dynamic force of volunteer mentors and teachers who work alongside school administrators, counselors, and faculty, and donations from donors and community partners – like you! To learn more, visit www.takestockpalmbeach.org
Photography contributed by: Take Stock in Children Palm Beach County
Unicorn Children’s Foundation Goes Global Through Virtual Programming
Boca Raton FL — Individuals with developmental or learning challenges were negatively impacted by COVID in many ways. Those who were not able to attend day programs or had to discontinue employment may have experienced isolation. Unicorn Children’s Foundation, a leader in the field of neurodiversity, has offered programs to individuals around the world. This has eliminated geographic barriers, expanded social networks, and exposed neurodivergent individuals to educational opportunities that they would not otherwise have available.
Unicorn Children’s Foundation is proud to announce that they have served 48 participants in 17 states and Canada in the past year! The geographic expansion has not stopped with students – the instructors span from the United States to London and France! The Foundation has been offering classes that promote independent living skills including topics such as Daily Living, Coping Skills, and industry training courses for employment. For those who prefer in-person instruction, the Foundation also hosted a Summer Connection Program at the Unicorn Connection Center in Boca Raton, FL. These classes were focused on musical, performing, theatrical, and creative arts.
Jennifer Gongora, who is the mother of Intro to Photography student Victoria Delagarza, shares, “As a parent, it makes me happy to have programs such as this to practice inclusion and for it to be showcased for all to see. I can never tell you enough how thankful I am for you teaching this class.”
Please follow us on social media and sign up for our newsletter for timely information, scheduled programs, and events. A combination of in-person, hybrid, and virtual classes for the fall sessions will soon be announced at the Unicorn Connection Center to ensure that the most vulnerable members of society have opportunities to find meaning and purpose as engaged members of the community. Visit the www.UnicornChildrensFoundation.org or call 561.620.9377 for more information and to learn how you can get involved.
The Donation Comes From The Edith & Martin Stein Family Foundation to Fulfill a Promise for an Arts Center Made to the Residents of Boca Raton Decades Ago
Edith Stein and Andrea Virgin
BOCA RATON, Fla. — (August 11, 2021) — The Boca Raton Arts District Exploratory Corporation (BRADEC) is proud to announce its first seven-figure capital pledge of $5 million. The donation comes from The Edith & Martin Stein Family Foundation, for the new Boca Raton Center for Arts & Innovation proposed at the north end of Mizner Park in Downtown Boca Raton.
In May, BRADEC won unanimous support from the Boca Raton City Council — meeting as the Community Redevelopment Agency — to negotiate a lease for the Mizner Park Amphitheater site, and an adjacent, 1.8-acre land parcel.
“On behalf of BRADEC, I’m thrilled to announce this landmark pledge to our capital campaign. The exceptional generosity and commitment to improving the civic and cultural life of Boca Raton demonstrated by Edith and her late husband, Martin, have put us on a path to realizing our extraordinary vision for the Center, and establishing Boca Raton as an epicenter for the arts, technological innovation, and education along the Gold Coast,” remarked BRADEC President of the Board, Andrea Virgin.
Edith and Martin Stein moved to Boca Raton in 1990 and quickly became involved in the community, enabling the creation of the Boca Raton Philharmonic Symphonia, and contributing to the Boca Raton Museum of Art, Boca Ballet Theatre, The Boca Raton Regional Hospital Foundation, the Jewish Federation of South Palm Beach County, Tri-County Animal Rescue and Florence Fuller Child Development Center, among many other local nonprofits that enjoy their support.
The Steins also maintained a connection to their native New Jersey through similar philanthropic endeavors, including donations to the Jewish Federation of Middlesex County, Temple Emanuel, Embrace Kids Foundation, and other organizations.
Martin Stein was a pillar of the Boca Raton community and a generous supporter to many. He was a kind and caring man, and a treasured boss and mentor before his passing in 2017. “He lived a long and remarkable life, touching so many of us with love and compassion! Leaving behind a legacy that ought to inspire each and every one of us; all along the way doing it always with his amazing brand of humor,” says Mrs. Edith Stein of her late husband.
Amidst their many philanthropic priorities in Boca Raton, they still felt something was missing. Mrs. Stein noted that she and Martin, “were so entranced with what was on offer in New York. We would go to the opera, and other functions that were magical to us – and we didn’t have anything like that here [in Boca Raton.]”
Reflecting on the promise of the Center to emerge as a cultural landmark in Boca Raton, Mrs. Stein commented: “Martin was very passionate about the arts — music, jazz, paintings. Art was his thing. He always wanted everything under one roof. For this Center to happen, it would be his dream come true.”
About the Boca Raton Center for Arts & Innovation:
Conceptually announced in 2018, the Boca Raton Center for Arts & Innovation is a non-profit initiative to build a state-of-the-art hub for arts, culture, technology, and education in Florida’s Gold Coast region. The Center imagines six diverse and adaptive performance & event spaces — indoor & outdoor — ranging in capacity from 99 to 3,500 seats. These can be programmed as individual spaces or combined to host events for nearly 6,000 total attendees.
The venues include a state-of-the-art, 1,100-seat concert & performance hall, designed as a multi-form theater with several configurations including the ability to become completely flat-floor; an existing amphitheater stage that is improved to allow for a transformation into a 450-seat “Black Box” interior space, through the use of an innovative structural curtain; the 3,500-seat existing Mizner Park Amphitheater, which can be programmed simultaneously with the “Black Box” space; a jewel-box, 99-seat performance hall that can be converted into a large rehearsal studio or event space; an outdoor rooftop terrace, which can accommodate an estimated 200 patrons; and additional campus spaces that will enable technological innovation and education through the arts. An innovative canopy feature will shelter the Center’s outdoor spaces from the elements.
For more information and updates, and details on how to assist the project team in bringing the vision for the Center to life, please visit https://bocaratonartscenter.org/.
After hearing news of the pledge from The Edith & Martin Stein Family Foundation, Boca Raton Mayor Scott Singer commented, “Congratulations to BRADEC on this announcement, which reflects only a fraction of the deep interest and support for this transformative project. The City looks forward to continuing our work with BRADEC to finalize the ground lease, which will be a major milestone for the Center.”
Following negotiations with the City, this transformative gift will enable BRADEC to continue the essential work required to advance the new Center’s design, programming, and community engagement efforts.
BRADEC Development Director Andrea Doyle noted, “Mrs. Stein’s philanthropic commitment to the Center is humbling and inspiring, and puts wind in our sails in engaging other prospective capital donors whose involvement will be key to moving this project forward.”
In advance of a signed ground lease to secure control of the site, which is expected by year-end, this level of major donor commitment demonstrates the momentum and support that continues to build for the Boca Raton Center for Arts & Innovation.
The Center coming to fruition will finally be a decades-long promise coming to life. “If Martin was here, I believe he’d see the development of this center for the arts finally coming to fruition and say ‘my job here is done.’ It is truly a dream come true for us, and for all of the residents of Boca Raton,” notes Mrs. Stein.
