Art of Hope and Healing Gala and Casino Night

Art & Creativity for Healing held its Art of Hope and Healing Gala and Casino Night on Saturday, April 25 at the beautiful Ambassador Event Center in Irvine. Over 150 guests helped to raise $106K to support and celebrate the organization’s therapeutic art workshops as a tool for mental health.

“Since our inception of over 25 years, I continue to be grateful for the generosity of donors and volunteers who believe in our mission of supporting emotional healing through art & creative expression. The annual gala is a wonderful time to celebrate this work and those who give so much all year,” said Art & Creativity for Healing’s Founder/Director Laurie Zagon.

The evening began with a cocktail hour, expansive silent auction and casino games. Dinner was followed by a live auction led by emcee and auctioneer Joe Future, expanded casino game area, and capped off by music and dancing with DJ Tempoe.

A gala highlight was an awards program recognizing two special volunteers. Rainey Porras received the Teacher of the Year award for her dedication as an Art4Healing® facilitator for two years, primarily working with at-risk teens in juvenile hall and alternative education programs.

Volunteer of the Year Joanna Kim has been instrumental in the success of the nonprofit’s newer Down to Paint program which serves Down Syndrome teens and adults and their caregivers. Kim assists families with all aspects of the program and even captures beautiful photos of participants while they paint.   

All gala proceeds support the organization’s Art4Healing® workshops which include Wounded Warriors, Exceptional Families, Families in Life Transitions, Women Survivors, Troubled Teens and the Missing You programs.

Major gala sponsors were South Coast Plaza, RuVango Winery of Napa Valley, Newport Landing, The Ritz Carlton Laguna Niguel, JMH Engineering & Construction, Southwest Airlines, Shauna Miller, Asia Hasan, Michael Parks/Mparks Production and Barbara Anderson.