On May 19, 650 guests flocked to the New Orleans Center for Creative Arts’ largest annual fundraiser, “Art and Soul,” held at the organization’s beautiful Bywater facility. Chairs Hartley Casbon, marketing manager at the New Orleans Tourism Marketing Corporation, and Gregory Morey, CEO of ZeroTouchDigitial, put together the successful event. As it has for many years, The Lupin Foundation generously served as the title sponsor. IBERIABANK sponsored the patron party that featured hors d’oeuvres of Creole crawfish cheesecake with caviar cream and white and red sangria made by NOCCA’s Culinary Arts Department. The gala that followed was catered by The Hilton New Orleans Riverside and featured specialty drinks by Plum St. Snoballs.
The Solomon Group, led by NOCCA alum Gary Solomon Jr. working with Williams Architects, provided the event’s lighting and décor that included a virtual walk-through of the new warehouse property NOCCA is renovating to serve the needs of the organization’s growing programs.
The highlight of the evening was the silent auction sponsored by the Arlene and Joseph Meraux Charitable Foundation. This year’s auctions featured digital bidding thanks to AuctionsByCellular. In addition to the auction, guests shopped in the NOCCA Marketplace that offered poetry books, visual art, handmade jewelry, gourmet food items and other goods created by NOCCA students, alumni and faculty.
All proceeds from the event support the NOCCA Institute’s long-standing programs, including their Artist-in-Residence program that draws over 100 professional artists annually to work with local students.
Event at a Glance
What: “Art and Soul,” benefiting New Orleans Center for Creative Arts
When: Sunday, May 19
Where: New Orleans Center for Creative Arts (Main Campus)
