Donna Lexa Art Centers (DLAC), a nonprofit that provides art education for adults and teens with special needs and recently launched a new program to serve veterans, is proud to announce its 32nd Annual “Gotta Have Art” Celebration & Auction, Thursday, May 4, at the acclaimed Golden Mast Inn on Okauchee Lake.
“The 2017 “Gotta Have Art” Fundraiser & Auction will host more than 250 supporters of DLAC’s mission,” stated Stephanie Ohlfs, Donna Lexa Art Centers’ Board Vice Chair. “In addition to the celebrity speakers and guests, the event will feature a student art gala, art shoe contest, wine pull, silent auction, voice auction, light and heavy appetizers, desserts and complimentary cocktails.”
KEYNOTE: MARK FOREMAN, PURPLE HEART RECIPIENT & DECORATED VIETNAM WAR VETERAN
DLAC is hosting a special keynote at its upcoming annual celebration and auction: Purple Heart recipient and decorated Vietnam War Veteran, Mark Foreman. In May of 1968, Mark Foreman and 82 other Marines became surrounded by 1,500 North Vietnamese for six days on the top of a mountain. Mark was shot in the hip on the second day while trying to reach a fellow Marine who had also been shot. At the “Gotta Have Art” event, we will hear his amazing story of resilience and courage, and how he found healing in art as an artist and an art educator.
CELEBRITY MC: KATIE CROWTHER, WTMJ CHANNEL 4 TV ANCHOR
Katie is a weekend television anchor for Channel 4-WTMJ-TV. Katie is an award-winning journalist who has been nominated for an Emmy Award. She’s worked in Rockford, Las Vegas, Cleveland, Chicago, Washington D.C., New York City and Dublin, Ireland.
CELEBRITY AUCTIONEER: STEVE “THE HOMER” TRUE, ESPN SPORTS BROADCASTER
ESPN’s famous voice for Marquette’s Golden Eagles’ basketball, Steve “The Homer” True, is the MC for the “Gotta Have Art” live auction.
CELEBRITY GUEST: JOE RANDA, RETIRED KANSAS CITY ROYALS BASEBALL PLAYER
Also attending is Donna Lexa’s son and professional baseball player, Joe Randa, who is retired from the Kansas City Royals! Joe is a long-time champion of DLAC and brings in great sports collectibles for the event’s silent and live auctions.
HOW TO OBTAIN SINGLE TICKETS
The “Gotta Have Art” Annual Celebration & Auction will be held Thursday evening, May 4, starting at 5:45 PM, at The Golden Mast Inn on Okauchee Lake, W349 N5293 Lacy’s Lane, Okauchee, WI. Single tickets are $85 each and can be purchased on the Donna Lexa Art Centers’ website at: www.donnalexa.org, by calling (262) 521-2292, or by emailing admin@donnalexa.org. Tickets must be purchased in advance.
SPECIAL THANKS TO EVENT SPONSORS
DLAC would like to thank its generous Presenting Sponsor, Campbell & Associates, LLC, as well as Joe Randa, Karen and Jim Tredwell, CT Access, Waukesha State Bank, Goodwill of Southeastern Wisconsin, Inc., Waukesha Freeman, Teuteberg Printing, Golden Mast Inn, ProHealth Care, Bob’s Glass, Cardinal Capital, Reinhart Boerner Van Deuren Law, R&R Insurance, Aurora Health Care, John and Cathy McCarthy and 88.9 Radio Milwaukee.
ABOUT DONNA LEXA ART CENTERS
For 32 years, DLAC has been transforming the lives of thousands of adults and teens with a wide variety of special needs, veterans, and at-risk women. Art is often a gateway to trust and healing when other forms of therapy are ineffective. DLAC was founded by Waukesha’s much loved art therapist and civic leader, Donna Lexa. She believed deeply in the power of art to heal, to give hope, and to empower those with profound physical and emotional challenges. Today, DLAC has three art centers in Waukesha, West Milwaukee, and West Bend and serves more than 25 outreach locations. DLAC’s dedicated staff of art instructors, fine artists and certified art therapists serves those who have suffered from car accidents, surgeries, and disease, as well as students with Alzheimer’s, Muscular Dystrophy, Downs Syndrome, ALS, and many other physical and emotional disabilities. In 2015, DLAC started a new program to help at-risk women. And, in 2016, DLAC launched a new program, Artful Warrior, to help veterans. DLAC is a 501(c)3 nonprofit. Donations are tax-deductible.
Company:
Donna Lexa Art Centers
247 Wisconsin Avenue
Waukesha, WI 53186
