East End Arts had an enthusiastic turnout at its ARTworks Spring Gala 2015, held on Saturday, April 25, 2015, at East Wind in Wading River, NY. The gala honored long-time East End Arts supporters Suffolk County National Bank and featured live and silent auctions with Henry Broggi of South Bay Auctions; live music with The Denice Given Band; and music performances by students of the East End Arts School. Proceeds from the benefit funds art and music lesson scholarships to area children, as well as support East End Arts mission to build and enrich the local community through the arts by way of education, support, advocacy, and inspiration.
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Mark and Içim Miller. © Lenny Stucker / www.lennystucker.com.
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Christy and Chester Murray. © Lenny Stucker / www.lennystucker.com.
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“With a fantastic turn out of guests celebrating the arts on the East End, this fundraiser was one of the most successful events we have had," said Patricia A. B. Cruso, ARTworks Gala Chair and Vice President of East End Arts Board of Directors in her remarks. She described the event as “...a wonderful evening among supporters of the arts, whose generosity, once again, made the fourth annual ARTworks gala a huge success."
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Tom and Pat Cruso (gala chair). © Lenny Stucker / www.lennystucker.com.
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Bryan Gutman and Tina Folks. © Lenny Stucker / www.lennystucker.com.
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Patricia Snyder, Executive Director of East End Arts said "The philanthropy of our community has made this gala one of our most successful events ever."
She attributed a big part of the success to efforts from gala honoree Suffolk County National Bank and the gala benefit committee. "We are so grateful to the committee and SCNB for helping to strengthen our ability to bring the arts to the East End," said Snyder. "The success of the event means that we will be able to continue our mission and commitment to building and enriching our community through the arts."
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Melissa Elkins, Maggie Kritsberg. © Lenny Stucker / www.lennystucker.com.
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The gala was attended by East End Arts supporters from the business, arts and cultural communities.
The ARTworks Gala 2015 committee was chaired by Patricia Cruso with committee members Barbara Burger, Cia Comnas, Robert Grady, Paul Hawkins, Katherine Liepe-Levinson, Melinda Novak, Sandra Novick, Angela Reese, Annika Shapiro.
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Dominic Antignano, Wally Smith, Michael Rosenberg. © Lenny Stucker / www.lennystucker.com.
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Synder explained that the success of the gala allows East End Arts to continue its mission and commitment to building and enriching our community through the arts. This year, the non-profit organization celebrates the 20-year anniversary of our Arts School where classes in music and art are offered for all ages and abilities.
The Gala also assist with East End Art's council's initiative the Winterfest Live on the Vine concert series and their revitalization efforts for Riverhead. Other programs benefiting from the gala include the Teeny Awards, recognizing excellence in high school theater programs; JumpstART, professional development for artists with public arts component; and the Harvest Gospel Concert Series.
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BASIC FACTS: East End Arts is based in Riverhead. For information and for programming, visit www.eastendarts.org.
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