Dearest Readers-
Cheers to the Inner-City Neighborhood Art House for delivering one of the most spectacular social events of the 2023 season! The annual Taste of the Arts – Sights and Sounds of the Art House was truly an experience like no other.
Picture if you will, the Art House parking lot transformed into a creative wonderland, filled with billowing white tents, cuisines from around the world, and live art demonstrations. Inside, guests were greeted by both stimulating and engaging spaces. Easels stood like sentinels, displaying vibrant paintings and delicate sculptures, as students proudly spoke about their creative wares.
The evening began with dance performances featuring various dance styles, from classical ballet to tap and jazz. Each performance brought something unique to the stage and was the culmination of months of practice. The excitement in the air was palpable! The students danced gracefully, their movements synchronized to the rhythm of the music, leaving the audience captivated by their poise and charm.
Next came a soulful rendition of "Fly Me to the Moon” sung by a talented young student. He stood nervously on the stage, bathed in the warm glow of the spotlight, and took a long deep breath. The first verse of the song escaped his lips and a hush fell over the audience. His passion and determination shone through in every note, making his teachers and family beam with pride. And as the last note of the song faded into the night sky, the audience erupted into thunderous applause and a standing ovation.
Last but not least, it was time for the pièce de resistance, the centerpiece of the fundraiser, the live auction. The featured student artist took the stage with her instructor, next to her expertly designed and hand-painted table. Before long, the bidding began, and a fierce but friendly competition ensued. The bids soared higher and higher, and when the gavel finally fell, applause broke out in the tent… SOLD!
Taste of the Arts – Sights and Sounds of the Art House had come to a close. The event not only raised significant funds for the Art House but also strengthened the community's bonds. It was a testament to the belief that art could change lives, inspire dreams, and bring a community together in the most beautiful of ways.
Cheers to the Taste of the Arts Committee, Core Committee, volunteers, students, teachers, and staff for a job well done! And a heartfelt thank you to the founding members of the Art House, Sr. Mary Miller and Sr. Mary Lou Kownacki! Mary Lou, the visionary, who saw the Art House as a sanctuary for the youth of the Inner City and Mary, the builder, who took the dream and turned an old tire shop into a magnificent oasis in the center of the city. In closing, I would like to leave you with a poem by Sister Mary Lou:
Come Bring the Children:
Come, Bring the Children
Stand them on their toes and let them twirl into tomorrow.
Say to them,
"This is how POSSIBILITY feels."
Come, Bring the Children
Sneak them into the land of Oz,
let them live Where the Wild Things Are.
Say to them,
"This is how WONDER is born."
Come, Bring the Children
Jump barefoot in clay until it takes a shape of tiger teeth.
Say to them,
"This is how CREATIVITY happens."
Come, Bring the Children
Pour a bucketful of paint on gray sidewalks and empty dreams.
Say to them,
"This is how HOPE tastes."
Come, Bring the Children
Toss hundreds of letters in the air and see how they land.
Say to them,
"This is how IMAGINATION grows."
Come, Bring the Children
Kneel at the notes of sax, piano, cello, snare drum
soul-stretching a star-lit night.
Say to them,
"This is how BEAUTY saves."
Yours Truly,
Lady Whistlenote
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