Cocktails for KID smART marked a milestone this year: the event celebrated a 20th anniversary of raising funds for this arts education organization.
Artists Campbell Hutchinson and Allison Stewart founded KID smART in 1999 with the belief that arts should be available to all New Orleans children. The organization provides public school students with greater access to arts education and currently, it has daily arts integration at 15 schools through its Creative Schools program, among its other programming.
More than 350 guests were at the benefit on March 23 at Press Street Station. Attendees noshed on food from Zasu and Martin Wine & Spirits while listening to music by Kyle Roussel, and Kaleb and the Mintz, which was composed of four New Orleans Center for Creative Arts jazz students.
Each year, the event names an honorary artist and emerging artist: in 2023 it was Aimée Farnet Siegel and Ashley Teamer, respectively. Siegel also donated a one-of-a-kind art piece to the live auction. The other item in the auction was a Bourbon Tasting Experience hosted by photographer L. Kasimu Harris.
Event co-chairs were Krystal Hardy Allen, Martine Chaisson Linares and Jeanette Weiland; KID smART executive director is Elise Gallinot-Goldman.
Fun Fact
The funds raised at Cocktails for KID smART have made a lasting impact on the lives of students and educators — 73,324 of them.
Jarrett Johnson, Jeanette Weiland, Aimée Farnet Siegel
Elise Gallinot-Goldman, Stephanie Goliwas
Dr. Gwenesta Melton, Suzanne Dumez
Lauren Templeton, Martine Chaisson Linares
Nancy Rebold, Gretchen Weller Howard
