The Woodlands, TX – The Pavilion Partners, the official volunteer organization of The Center for the Performing Arts at The Woodlands, home of The Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion, raised approximately $75,000 at the organization’s 11th Annual Wine Dinner & Auction held Feb. 8 at The Club at Carlton Woods in The Woodlands. Of the money raised, approximately $35,000 was generated from the live auction with net proceeds benefiting The Pavilion Partners Fine Arts Scholarship Program. The remaining net proceeds, approximately $40,000 generated from the dinner, bid board and silent auction, benefits The Pavilion’s educational outreach programs and performing arts events. Since its inception, The Pavilion Partners has awarded more than $390,000 in scholarships to students studying the arts.
With 140 guests in attendance, the live auction featured a selection of wine-related items and leisure packages, including rare wines, trips to Napa, sporting packages, a gourmet backyard feast for 20 and an exclusive wine cellar dinner for 10. The live auction began with the sale of a print by 2008 scholarship recipient Erin Hill. The evening also included a special musical performance by 2008 scholarship recipient Diane Goldsmith.
The 11th Annual Wine Dinner & Auction honorees were Nelda Luce and Jim Blair. They were honored for their generous support of the arts, The Pavilion and the entire community. The Blair’s are both native Texans who combined have practice law more than 65 years. They have been long-time activists in local, state and national political campaigns and supporters of many organizations and charities. The Blair’s currently serve on several boards. Also Nelda is the elected chairman of The Woodlands Township and a former member of The Pavilion’s Board of Directors. The Blair’s often open their home to guests, offer their classic cars and antique boat, and dedicate their time to many worthy causes. The honorees were recognized at the event where Wine Dinner Committee Co-Chairman Randy Lowry announced that a scholarship would be awarded in their honor.
“We are very pleased with the success of this year’s Wine Dinner & Auction. Because of the support of this generous community, we will be able to continue to support the arts and the educational outreach programs at The Pavilion, “said Sol Sachs Wine Dinner committee co-chairman. “We would like to thank Northern Trust for its generous sponsorship of the evening’s wines. We also want to express our gratitude to everyone who donated the various auction items and who attended this phenomenal event.”
For more information about The Pavilion Partners, contact Charlotte Weschler at 281-210-1122 or visit www.woodlandscenter.org.
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Launched in 1998, The Pavilion Partners is an important part of The Pavilion and its many educational programs. Partners supports The Pavilion through fund-raising for the performing arts and educational outreach programs, as well as awarding fine arts scholarships each spring. In addition to their fund-raising efforts, The Pavilion Partners provides event volunteers for performances and programs at The Pavilion throughout the year. |
