20th Anniversary of arts in education non-profit celebrated in style.
The Center for Creative Education celebrated its 20th anniversary with the most successful Annual Spring Luncheon in its history, breaking records in attendance and doubling the support it received last year. Three hundred people enjoyed the blue, summery skies at Lawrence Moen’s new home on the lake, while getting a firsthand view of the Center’s latest project marrying arts and education. Chairmen Talbott Maxey, Thomas Quick and Tricia Quick led the event along with Honorary Chairmen Maura Ziska Christu and Susan Miller.
As guests enjoyed cocktails by the pool, they visited with second graders from Freedom Shores Elementary School in Boynton Beach who demonstrated how they brought the Calusa Indians to life through a CCE project. The children were dressed in period dress of settlers at that time; straw hats and overalls, with braids and boots. The resourceful students showed how the Calusa built a hut with palm fronds, made tools out of shells, wove fishing nets and carved dugout canoes under the direction of CCE teaching artist Ronni Gerstel.
The project was based on the book, “The Last Calusa” by Harvey Oyer III, a speaker at the luncheon, who talked about the power of integrating art into the educational process. Teacher Tracy Haynes said when children learn this way “they don’t just remember the material for a test, they own it.”
CCE was fortunate to have the Esther B. O’Keefe Charitable Foundation as its 20th Anniversary Underwriter. The Quick Family and Fidelity Investments were Presenting Sponsors. Other major sponsors include Paula and Robert Butler, Edith Dixon and Kenn Karakul and James Held. Caron Renaissance, JP Morgan Chase Bank, Braman Motorcars, Danielle Hickox Moore, Jim and Irene Karp, Berton and Sallie Korman, Ray Lucchetti, Steve and Gail McMillan, Clare O’Keeffe, John and Beverlee Miller Raymond and Barbara Smith also helped to sponsor the event.
Following lunch Thomas Quick led a “Call to Action to Change a Child’s Life” to raise funds for scholarships to allow more students in Palm Beach County to experience the engagement and self-confidence brought through project-based learning. The guests at the Luncheon responded with generosity and enthusiasm.
CCE Teaching Artists bring the arts into a classroom to inspire children to delve into science, math, literacy and more. Last year alone CCE provided classes, free-of-charge, to 12,500 children in more than 50 school sites all over Palm Beach County, providing in school and after-school programming to many students considered “at risk of failure.” We also offer the “Discover Series” at the Center in Northwood Village to give children a journey through the arts. CCE counts on private donations and grants to reach children and change the way they look at learning.
For more information on the Center for Creative Education,
contact us at 561-805-9927 or visit www.CCEflorida.org.