The 2016 “Cocktails for KID smART” was a record-breaking fundraising year for the organization, which supports arts-integration programming in 12 New Orleans schools, enabling more than 3,000 students to benefit from interactive arts-based learning.
The event took place at the home of Elly and Merritt Lane, which already featured art by Nicole Charbonnet. A giclée of Charbonnet’s painting “Safari No. 7” was offered to sponsors and patrons. Event Chairs were Suzanne Dumez and Jill McKay Pipes. Board chair Scott Howard, Fund Development Committee Chair Phil Gunn, Executive Director Echo Olander and featured artist Nicole Charbonnet were all in attendance.
Joel Catering provided a delectable selection of treats, including artichoke beignets, petit southern fried green tomatoes, creole stuffed chicken, shaved and grilled Brussel sprouts salad, corn maque choux, cheesecake lollipops and mini s’more blondies. Meschiya Lake, Tom McDermott and Tuba Skinny provided musical entertainment.
The KID smART programming transforms a typical learning system into a creative, fun experience: for example, a teaching team might teach students fractions through mixing paint colors, or students might learn the stages of the water cycle through dance and movement. This year, six school leaders from Creative Schools were in attendance.
EVENT AT A GLANCE
What: “Cocktails for KID smART,” benefiting KID smART
When: Wednesday, October 26
Where: Home of Elly and Merritt Lane
