On Thursday, July 9, the Friends of St. Avips presented a $153,900 donation to Spiva Center for the Arts, representing the proceeds from this year’s St. Avips Ball. The check presentation took place in Spiva’s galleries at the Harry M. Cornell Arts & Entertainment Complex.
The idea of St. Avips is simple – 40 women volunteers put on a gala event each year to raise money for Spiva. The St. Avips Ball is one of the region’s most anticipated events, drawing supporters from across the four-state area. Since the first ball in 1963, the event continues to raise significant funding each year, helping Spiva fulfill its mission to celebrate the creative experience and serve as a community catalyst—uniting culture, education, business, and the arts.
This year’s St. Avips Chair, Anne Curchin, shared her excitement about continuing the organization’s longtime support of Spiva.
“The Friends of St. Avips are honored to continue a tradition that has supported Spiva for more than 60 years,” said Curchin. “The ball is truly a labor of love, made possible by the dedication of our volunteers, the generosity of our sponsors and guests, and a shared belief in the importance of the arts in our community. We are thrilled to present this gift to Spiva and to help ensure that meaningful arts experiences continue to be available for generations to come.”
“This incredible gift from the Friends of St. Avips represents the very best of community support,” said Heather Lesmeister, Spiva Executive Director. “For more than six decades, these women have given their time, creativity, and energy to champion Spiva and the arts in our region. Their dedication helps us celebrate the creative experience, present exceptional exhibitions, and provide meaningful education and outreach opportunities for people of all ages. We are deeply grateful for their vision, generosity, and continued belief in Spiva’s mission.”
This generous check presentation represents another year that the Friends of St. Avips remains a foundational support for Spiva Center for the Arts and its ability to present exceptional regional, national, and international exhibitions in its four galleries, as well as provide art education and outreach opportunities throughout the region.www.spivaarts.org | www.friendsofstavips.com