The Chicago Academy for the Arts, one of only four independent arts high schools in the United States, celebrated student achievements while raising funds to continue supporting the next generation of artistic talents at their gala on May 12. Performances from The Academy’s emerging artists in dance, musical theatre, music and media arts, at Harris Theater, kicked off the evening. Following the performance, the celebration continued on at Millennium Park Terrace where some of Chicago’s top chefs including Carlos Gaytan of Mexique, Matthew Kerney of Longman & Eagle, Tony Priolo of Piccolo Sogno/Piccolo Sogno Due and Grace Curtis Duffy served up a signature dish for guests.
Performances ranged from a short film “Day of the Wolf,” ballet selection from Don Quixote, solo spoken word and closing musical of “On my Way” by the students. In attendance supporting A Taste for the Arts co-chairs, John and Dianne Kleber and Lisa and Joe Torre, were Christie Heffner, Barbara Levy Kipper, Levoyd Robinson(Chicago Fundamental Investment Partners), Helen Melchior and Ken Norgin, Michael Tiknis(Harris Theatre), Chef Kevin of TWO Restaurant,Scott Lang, Donna LaPietra and Bill Kurtis who served as hosts of the gala/fundraiser, to name a few.
Once guests began to settle on chef Matthew Kerney of Longman & Eagle’s Bay scallops and English pea gazpacho with rose water gel and Chef Curtis Duffy’s Ocean trout with osetra caviar along with flowing wine, it was time to get the fundraising portion of the evening started. Scholarship students that have been able to attend the Academy gave testament to the benefit they’ve received not only in cultivating their artistic talent but also the scholar portion. From $25,000 donations to $500 the guests gave. Students from The Chicago Academy for the Arts have gone on to study at world class institutions such as Juliard, California Institute for the Arts, and Parson’s New School for Design. The academy counts Saturday Night Liv’s Cecily Strong, Hip hop activist Jessica Disu and Semi Precious Weapons lead singer Justin Tranter as alums.
Photo credit: Bob Carl
