May Luncheon Recap and Beyond our Gates Free Event, June 25
Arts, etc. celebrated the end of our 2024/2025 season and its successful fundraising campaign for furthering our mission with a luncheon at the Sandcastle on May 7. Featured at the luncheon were art selections exhibited by the artists who donated to the Online Auction for members to view and consider for purchase. At the start of the luncheon, which was sponsored by First National Bank (FNB), Amy Creamer, outgoing President and incoming President Karen Curth, welcomed members and thanked FNB for sponsoring the luncheon and the exhibiting artists.
Hannah Rice was introduced as the new Executive Director for Arts, etc. Hannah has been working with us on our fundraising efforts since January and has impressed us with her marketing, communications and finance background as well as her self-initiative and sunny attitude. We are delighted to welcome Hannah as a member of the Arts, etc. family.
Tamara Phelan, Treasurer, shared the results of the season’s fundraising activities including:
- The Kiawah Art & House Tour, of which FNB was the Presenting Sponsor and where we had 540 people tour four spectacular homes on the island.
- Online Auction featuring art, goods and services supplied by prominent artists and local businesses.
- Funds raised from Members and Business Sponsor donations.
- Beyond Our Gates grant.
- Other fundraising efforts.
The great news is that these activities together raised $250,000 for Arts, etc. this year! This amount will fund 24 programs for the next school year from eleven Program Partners delivered at our five community schools on Johns and Wadmalaw Islands. Many of the programs will be presented at multiple schools, raising our impact on the schools even higher. This year we received a record-breaking number of funding applications from our Program Partners, which were each thoughtfully considered by the board.
On behalf of the membership, Amy and Karen thanked Kerry Pardoll for coordinating all the complex moving parts of the Art & House Tour, and Gail Strickler for organizing and leading the Online Auction.
Dean White, VP of FNB, acknowledged William Smith and the wonderful team at their Freshfields branch office who so graciously hosted our Online Auction art exhibit as well as being the site for tour ticket pickup. Their friendliness and exceptional assistance with the tour cannot be overstated. FNB has enjoyed its role as our community partner and is delighted with the work Arts, etc. is doing on behalf of the schools.
Past President, Carla Powe, presented the slate for new board members and conducted a vote where Mary Maloney and Beth Ritz were unanimously voted in as the new Director of Development and Secretary. Carla also introduced Karen Curth as the new President. The role of Vice President, Director of Programs remains open.
Finally, we said adieu to three other board members: Past President, Carla Powe, Secretary, Tina Krause, and Director of Development, Kerry Pardoll. Amy thanked the departing board members and the rest of the board for all their hard work over the course of the year.
This was the last luncheon hosted by outgoing President, Amy Creamer, who has so ably led the organization for over two years. We are fortunate to have Karen Curth succeeding Amy as President, after serving as Vice President, Director of Programs.
Check out photos from the luncheon and May board meeting on our website. Amy Creamer was honored at the Board Meeting with a goodbye memento for her dedicated service.
SPECIAL NOTES: Last year we received a $25,000 grant to fund PURE Theatre’s after school program at the middle and high schools on Johns Island from Beyond our Gates Foundation of Kiawah & Seabrook. We are helping them spread the word about a free event they are hosting with cocktails and hors d’Oeuvres at the River Course Ballroom on June 25 at 7:00 P.M. The evening of fellowship is intended to foster a community-wide dialogue about those in critical need living just beyond our gates. If you are interested in attending RSVP to brian@beyondourgates.org.
Look for emails from Arts, etc. in August/early September about our Fall Membership Drive and Welcome Back events. Meanwhile, have a wonderful summer here on Kiawah or wherever you enjoy the company of family and friends.