"Art Talks, Kids Rock" Gala Great Success

More than 300 people showed their support of the children and families served by Boys Town North Florida on April 30th at its annual Spirit of Youth “Art Talks, Kids Rock”.

“This year’s event featured our ‘Kids Rock’ art gallery and special performances from our Boys Town youth to tie in our Art Talks, Kids Rock event theme,” said Kenneth Bender, Boys Town North Florida Executive Director. “We are thankful for the Tallahassee community for supporting Boys Town and making this a sold out event.”

The night was a success as guests walked around viewing music inspired art created by Boys Town North Florida youth and art by national, regional and local artists, which raised close to $200,000. Not only did the North Florida youth art gallery make the night special, but youth Justin’s story of overcoming obstacles with the help of Boys Town is what really proved that North Florida and its youth “rock!”

Special guests including Father Steven Boes, Tallahassee Mayor John Marks, County Commissioner and Chairman of Boys Town North Florida Bryan Desloge, and Former Lt. Gov. Bobby Brantley, were in attendance and proved to the youth and organization that the community cares for the success of the children and families. 

“We were overjoyed by all of the community support we received. Truly a testimony of support and commitment to help the at-risk children and families of North Florida,” said Dena Strickland, Boys Town North Florida Development Director. “We are humbled and grateful.”

Boys Town North Florida would like to thank the following individuals for the time, dedication and support to help make this event a success.

Sponsors

PLATINUM: Dermatology Associates - Dr. Armand & Suzanne Cognetta, The Gabor Agency

GOLD: Dr. Edward & Moria Desloge, North Florida Animal Hospital, Parrish Group, Dr. Bob Soni, Strauss and Redding Families

SILVER: Allen, Norton and Blue, Brian and Kathryn Ballard, Jim and Kathy Dahl, Florida Power and Light Company, Jimmy and Josie Gustafson, J.G. O’Rourke and Associates LLC, Judy Lewis and Prestige Infiniti, Sniffen Law Firm, Southeastern Plastic Surgery P.A., Tallahassee Plastic Surgery Clinic, Trow Engineering, Vezina Lawrence and Piscitelli

BRONZE: Ausley Law Firm, Paul and Sally Bradshaw, Matt and Sheri Bryan, Electronet- Allen and Darcy Byington, BB&T- Paul and Cindy Sullivan, Jason Crowder, Everitt and Julie Drew, Gates That Open LLC- Joe and Annie Kelley, Mac Langston, Dr. Eduardo and Luzma Hubard, Dr. Ken Kato and Nan Nagy, Tim and Jill Meenan, North Florida Pediatric Associates- Dr. Will and Joyce Simmons, Dr. David and Kathleen Smith, Southern Vitreoretinal Associates P.L., Tri-Eagle Sales- Tripp and Susie Transou

FRIENDS: Comcast, ND Designs TLH, Timothy and Stephanie Jansen, William and Susan McKinley, Wallace and Susan Whitley, Rutledge, Ecenia and Purnell P.A., Proctor Dealerships

Boys Town Stars: Jim and Kathy Dahl, David Lloyd, Chris Barkas, Bob and Suzanna Steinmetz, Mark and Shannon Whitley, Neil and Lisa Torgerson, Ben and Jennifer Kirbo, Jim and Julie Bettinger, Kevin and Mary Jayne Sokolow, June Strauss, Mark and Betsy Scott, Lori Weldon, John and Denise O’Rourke, William and Joyce Simmons, Nicole Koski, Armand and Suzanne Cognetta, Jay and Jennifer LaVia, Everitt and Julie Drew, Randy and Chris Fullerton, Nelson Munn, Sandra Bouchard, Telisha Watson, Tripp and Susie Transou, Mark and Sally Rosser, Ellen Pappas, Matt and Cindel Liebenhaut, Lisa Chase, Dena Sokolow, Steve Menton, Jan and Ash Williams, Doug and Donna Behrman, Zack Gibson and Julie Montanero, Hunter and Bretch Heuchan, Larry and Patty Pijut, Marty and Angie Sipple, Chris and Andrea Diamantis, Judy Lewis, Joe and Annie Kelley

Artists: Natalia Andreeva, Ekaterina Arslambakova, Albert Barcilon, Kim Bertron, Amanda Boekhout, Debby Brienen, Randy Brienen, Ann Camp, Kathleen Carter, Linda Clark, George Clinton, Cornbread, Barbara Edwards, Nancy Gavalas, Dean Gioia, Quincie Hamby, Michael Harrell, Guy Harvey, Ann Hempel, Honey Hilliard, Dr. Eduardo Hubard, Jenny Ignaszewski, Ann Kozeliski, William Lamb, Molly Mabe, Julian Mathis, Kelley Pettit, Mershell Sherman, Thadd Swerdzewski, Delight Van Dame, Charity Wood, and Ron Yrabedra

Entertainment: Tallahassee Youth Orchestras (TYO), The Dave Detweiler Quartet, Patrick Meighan, and “The B.T. Crew” Ashley, Desaree, Justice, Randy, Terell, Al, Justin, Keyonna, Martin, and Tryton.

Committee members: Darcy Byington, Stacy Chick, Judy Lewis, Dena Sokolow, Suzanne Cognetta, Sheri Bryan, Angie Sipple, Natasha Simon, Andrea Diamantis, Josie Gustafson, Mary Jayne Sokolow, Cindy Sullivan, Kathryn Ballard, Michelle Bender, Michele Burkhead, Cindy Campbell, Lisa Chase, Joanna Copenhaver, Kathy Dahl, Kecia Dorsey, Michelle Eubanks, Ann Gabor, Calynne Hill, Hazel Huggins, Heidi King, Susan Maddox, Jane Marks, Maggie Masferrer, Young McConnell, Susie McKinley, Joy Moore, Vickie Peace, Beverly Sokolow, Julie Steinmeyer, Tammy Suber, Lisa Torgerson, Katie Wright

Dining by Designers: Hurtis Amerson- Esposito’s, Rhonda Baldock, Bella Flora LLC- Kelly Trotman, Cathy Brunson, Darcy Byington Interiors, Anne Jolley Byrd, Stacy Chick, Valerie Covington, Kelly Dewall- Tallahassee Nurseries, Kelly Disalvo, Carol Edmond, Calynne Hill, Kelly Horne Landscape Designs, Keysha Davis, Judy Lewis, Cecilia Loeb, Maggie Masferrer, young McConnell, Dana Rutledge, Betsy Scott, Valorie Stevens, Sarah Stout, Sarah Jane, Tammy Suber, Stephanie Jansen, Courtney Dunn- TC Florals and University Center Club

Media and marketing: Scott Smith- Cade Advertising, Somer VanLandingham- Clear Channel Communications, Kathleen Carter- Starry Night Studio, Charity Wood- Florida Museum of History, Magic 107.1, 100.7 WFLA, Tallahassee Democrat, Terri Smith Photography, Lamar Advertising, Gandy Printers, Utrecht Art Supplies

Production team: Brian Barnard’s Flooring America, Espositos, International Design & Display Group, In Tents Events, S & L Productions

Gallery Girls: Jennah London, Nikki Diamantis, Rainey Lancaster, Kelsey Torgerson, Brittany Gordon, Amaris Appiah, Emily Behrens, Caroline Eubanks, Sarah Shefrans, Marissa Palozzi, Melanie Brewster

A very special thank you to Mistress of Ceremonies Julie Montanero and Auctioneer Chris Diamantis!