“Just Say YAYA” welcomed more than 600 guests to an art-filled cocktail party featuring work by current YAYA students and alumni spanning 30 years, with an arts market of glassware and a silent auction with works by acclaimed local artists. Many alumni, partners and supporters traveled to New Orleans specifically to celebrate this milestone.

Susan Brennan, Peggy Laborde, Kathryn Brennan McLeod and Hattie Moll served as Co-Chairs, and Founder Jana Napoli and all 30 years of YAYA Artists were honored.

The Patron Party featured food by Ralph Brennan’s Catering & Events, music by Motel Radio and a glassblowing demonstration by Mark Rosenbaum of Rosetree Glass.

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The gala celebration featured music by Cool Nasty and food by more than a dozen local vendors, including Warbucks, Cafe Reconcile, Liberty Cheesesteaks, Twelve Mile Limit, Central City BBQ, La Boulangerie, Martin Wine Cellar, Pralines by Jean, Zea, Langensteins and Mayhew Bakery. Beverages were provided by NOLA Brewing, Belle Isle Spirits and Republic National Distributing Company.

The silent auction hosted treasures by Mallory Page, Terrance Osborne, Jamar Pierre, Mitchell Gaudet, Juli Juneau, Gavin Jones, Artemis Antippas, Tim Trapolin, Dr. Bob, Douglas Bourgeois and a number of local businesses, including Saba, Kendra Scott, Ace Hotel, Windsor Court and more.

“Just Say YAYA” supports YAYA’s free after school arts and entrepreneurship training programs for creative, young New Orleanians. YAYA raised more than $150,000 for free youth arts programming, including selling more than $18,000 of artwork made by YAYA artists and alumni. YAYA offers a sales commission to all artists, starting at age 13, meaning that this event significantly supported the organization as well as the artists it bolsters.

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