Friends of St. Avips

St. Avips Ball and Art Auction
Friday, May 7 at Downstream Casino!

On the first Friday in May, Downstream Casino will host the 47th annual St. Avips Ball and Art Auction. The Friends of St. Avips (Spiva spelled backwards) is a committee of 40 women who will transform the Pavilion at Downstream into a stunning setting for a beautiful evening of dinner, dancing, and fine art. The theme for the 2010 Ball, selected by chair Leigh Frogge, is yet to be announced.

The purpose of the formal affair is to provide additional income for George A. Spiva Center for the Arts. The remarkable tradition began April 19, 1963 when a group of eighteen women led by Mary Stanley presented The Silver and White Ball at the Connor Hotel.

To date, St. Avips balls have provided more than $500,000 for art center operations. “Spiva simply could not do what it does for the community without the generous support and accomplishments of the women of St. Avips,” director Jo Mueller noted.

If anyone would like an invitation to the St. Avips Ball (Friday, May 7, Downstream Casino), please email Leigh Frogge this week at mfrogge@cableone.net. They will be addressing invitations this weekend. (March 13-14, 2010)

The Ball will begin with cocktails and a preview of the art at 6pm.
Dinner will be served at 8pm, followed by dancing.
The silent auction will close at 10pm after the final flurry of competitive bidding.

Tickets are $100 per person.

Invitations will be mailed the first week in April; reservations are required by April 21.
To receive an invitation please contact Lynn Hempen

Friends of St. Avips Friends of St. Avips was organized in 1963 as a non-profit association to raise funds for the George A. Spiva Center for the Arts with a formal annual benefit ball. In 1999 a silent auction of orginal works of art was included in the event for the purpose of showcasing the area artists. In addition to the annual ball, the organization assists in receptions held at the Center, sponsors exhibits, and participates in other fund-raising events for the center. Friends of St. Avips operates independently of the George A. Spiva Center for the Arts, but with their full cooperation and support.

Spiva programs are made possible with financial assistance from The Friends of St. Avips and the Missouri Arts Council, a State agency.