Left to right: Kathy Sipple, LOK Managing Director; Chef Alberto, Chef Jenny Drilon, Christine Ward, LOK Facilitator.

Left to right: Unity Foundation Executive Director, Maggie Spartz; Dianne Carpenter, Judy Jacobi and Elizabeth Bernel.

Mother Nature and her polar vortex couldn’t keep us down…

Left to right: Janet Bloch, Lubeznik Center for the Arts Education Director; Artist Ashlyn Bowen of LaPorte and Artist Christopher Jackson of Michigan City.

Young artists share their work with Maggi Spartz from the Unity Foundation.

Due to forecasts of  scary  weather, our Give Back dinner at Bentwood Tavern in New Buffalo, Michigan was rescheduled from Tuesday,  Jan. 21st to Wednesday, Jan. 22nd in hopes of offering guests a safer experience. There were over 80 reservations for Tuesday and Brynn Hines from Bentwood contacted every single one to advise them of the new date.

Wednesday night’s weather wasn’t much better, but nearly 100 LOK Wishing Tree supporters braved fierce cold and slippery roads to gather and celebrate in the warmly festive atmosphere at Bentwood Tavern anyway. Spirits warmed and troubles were forgotten over wonderful conversation and “artisan comfort cuisine” crafted by local icon, Chef Jenny Drilon. Ashlyn Bowen, 11, of LaPorte, and Christopher Jackson, 13, of Michigan City, served as Young Artist Ambassadors for LOK, displaying several pieces of their artwork created through their involvement with LOK arts programming.

Janet Bloch, Education Director for Lubeznik, was on hand to share inthe children’s excitement of sharing their art in public for the first time. Ashlyn participated in Lubeznik’s 2013 summer art program and has been drawing for 3 years or so; Christopher participated in Lubeznik’s new youth photography class, made possible in part by funding from the LOK Wishing Tree Foundation. Jackson has been involved in arts classes of various kinds for 9 years, the majority of his young life.

Many thanks to Richard Warner of Visual Impressions Photography for commemorating the evening with wonderful photos of the young artists, LOK board members, Bentwood staff and our wonderful dinner guests. Additional photos available here.

New friendships were forged and old friendships renewed. Young artists’ dreams were supported. Awareness about our mission was increased. The night was truly magical and a great example of “Living Love” in action. Many thanks to all who took part in making the evening such a success.