The 16th annual Brevard College Friends of the Fine Arts Love the Arts Gala hosted a capacity crowd of 135 guests on Saturday, February 7 at the Paul Porter Center for Performing Arts. This year’s event, titled “An Evening in Paris,” raised a record $130,000 to benefit Brevard College Fine Arts students and programs.
Guests were dazzled as the Porter Center transformed into a Parisian wonderland. Scott Concert Hall became the Louvre, the Morrison Playhouse turned into the Moulin Rouge, and the Francis Pavilion was reimagined as the Jules Verne restaurant in the Eiffel Tower.
Brevard College students showcased their art and performed music throughout the venue, including solo vocalists at the Moulin Rouge. Student actors entertained guests as mimes and other Parisian characters, and BC students also served as wait staff and assisted with overall event production.
“This was our best gala to date in so many ways,” said Dr. Kathryn Gresham, Associate Professor of Music and Chair of the Fine Arts Division at Brevard College. “The Evening in Paris theme inspired tremendous creativity from our staff and gave the event a level of cohesion we haven’t experienced before. The students truly brought their A-game — decorating, serving, performing, creating art, engaging with guests, bringing excitement to the Fund-A-Dream, and staying late to help with the breakdown.”
Fundraising, through ticket sales, sponsorships, and a silent auction, culminated with the Fund-A-Dream live auction-style event to support the College’s Fine Arts programs and students.
“The fundraising total far exceeded expectations,” stated Gresham. “I’m especially encouraged by the strong sponsorship support secured by our Alumni Affairs and Development team, as well as the number of new and returning guests. It’s clear we’re cultivating a growing and enthusiastic donor community for the Fine Arts at Brevard College, and that’s incredibly exciting.”
The event also featured a performance by the Brevard College Chamber singers under the direction of music professor Dr. Vance Reese. The Chamber singers will be traveling to Paris with Professor of Music Dr. David Gresham this June to perform, a trip made possible by an endowment from community members.
Now in its 16th year, the Friends of the Fine Arts have helped shape the journeys of several Brevard College Fine Arts alumni whose stories were told at the Gala.
Logan Taylor ‘17, a BC graduate with a degree in Technical Theatre with an Emphasis in Lighting Design, shared his story to the guests. Just four days after graduation in 2017, Taylor began his full-time career as Lighting Director for the Steep Canyon Rangers. He later worked with Steve Martin and Martin Short on the Netflix special An Evening You Will Forget for the Rest of Your Life and will work as Lighting Designer for their upcoming comedy tour.
A special presentation was made to Jack and Reed Parker, the founders of the Brevard College Friends of the Fine Arts. The Parkers were honored for their longtime service to the Fine Arts at the College with an award presented by Brevard College President Bradley J Andrews. The award presentation was followed by a performance of the Flower Duet from the opera Lakmé by Brevard College music students Wren Crook and Sevi Smith, accompanied by Dr. Vance Reese.
Jack and Reed Parker were the Diamond sponsors for the event with Floressence Flowers serving as the event’s Platinum sponsor. Bruce and Sandy Kirkman, Joe and Nancy DePippo, Bob Lawrence and Sue Rossman, Jennifer and Ray Henley, and PLATT Architecture, Construction & Interiors were Gold sponsors. Several additional individuals contributed as Silver and Bronze sponsors.
BC Fine Arts Alumni Benefit from FOFA
Below are examples of Brevard College Fine Arts alumni who have benefited from funds raised by the Friends of the Fine Arts and events such as the FOFA Love the Arts Gala. This includes participation at the Southeastern Theatre Conference and the summer study stipend which allows students to pursue specialized training.
Rachel Byrd ’22: teaches middle school art in Spartanburg, South Carolina; spent her summer study devoted to excavation studies at a Minoan palace in Crete.
Grace Dempsey ’24: serving in a coveted Juilliard School stage management apprenticeship.
K’nique Eichelburger ’21: recently concluded a national tour with the musical PAW Patrol Live and currently in Thailand performing with Norwegian Cruise Lines while waiting on his call to Broadway as a standby for MJ the Musical.
Tori Franklin ’17: after two seasons at the Sarasota Opera and two summers with the Janiec Opera Company of the Brevard Music Center, currently sings with the Knoxville Opera.
Naomie April Gibbs ’22: working as a singer/songwriter in New Orleans; used her summer stipend to study songwriting at the Berklee School of Music.
Emma Harris ’22: recently signed with East Coast Talent Agency and is working in the film industry.
Eli Hughes ’24: currently a professional stage manager in Minneapolis.
Hallie Moore ’19: landed the job of Assistant Wig and Makeup Supervisor for 1776 on Broadway.
Megan Murph ’09: currently an Assistant Professor of Musicology at University of Missouri.
Rachel RisCassi ’15: after completing a Master’s degree in voice, built a nationally acclaimed adventure wedding photography business.
Taylor Sparrow ’24: currently serves as Technical Director for Brevard College.
Shawnaizja Simmons ’23: sells fabric-based wearable art that fosters self-expression.
Riley Sullivan ’18: currently theMusic Director at Central Carolina Academy in Sanford, North Carolina.
Logan Taylor ’17: will work as Lighting Designer for Steve Martin and Martin Short’s upcoming comedy tour; previously served as Lighting Director for Steep Canyon Rangers.
Cal Vargas ’19: works as a professional special effects makeup artist in Los Angeles.
Teila Vochatzer ’19: currently the Props Supervisor at Southern Methodist University and Assistant Production Manager at Des Moines (Iowa) Metro Opera.
C. Alex Webster ’17: now touring with Missoula Children’s Theatre, previously served as Assistant Professor of Theatre at Oklahoma Baptist University.
Anthony Zuniga ’20: voice actor in Atlanta who used his stipend to attend the Open Jar Musical Theatre Intensive in New York City.