Young Audiences of Oregon & SW Washington Gala Breaks Fundraising Effort

Michelle and Synkai Harrison win the Golden Ticket for a trip to Cortona, Italy

Portland, February 20th, 2016. 225 guests joined Young Audiences of Oregon & SW Washington to celebrate 57 years of pioneering arts in education. Michelle and Synkai Harrison won the Golden Ticket for a trip to Cortona, Italy. The event at Pacfic Northwest College of Art raised a record $116, 000. (Photo credit, PDX Event Photography)

Joan McCray, Michael Agnew, Sonia Agnew (The Boeing Company)

Michael and Kathren Cavanaugh with Tim and Nancy Findlay

Faye Levinsohn (Marriott), L. Jan Robertson (Norris, Beggs & Simpson) and Lisa Harley (Marriott)

Tracy Moir, Guest of Honor Robin Mesher, Bob Mesher, Page Mesher

Patrick Lamb entertained the crowd for the afterparty which featured the Young Audiences’ roster artist Do Jump! dog on the dance floor (photo)

The evening started with a cocktail reception, a photo booth and lively silent auction. Guests enjoyed dinner and dessert by ChefStable Catering. Robin Mesher received the 2016 Sunburst Award for her dedication and advocacy during her tenure as a member of the Board of Directors of Young Audiences. The live auction included trips to France and Italy, A Date Night package and a Zamboni Party.

From Young Audiences of Oregon & SW Washington:

We inspire young people and expand their learning through the arts.

Young Audiences of Oregon was founded in 1958 as a local chapter of the nation’s largest arts-in-education organization. In 1989, the Portland-based organization merged with a smaller chapter in Vancouver to become Young Audiences of Oregon & SW Washington. We have steadily grown in scope and programming, evolving from presenting only classical music performances in our early years to currently offering a full range of educational arts programming in multiple disciplines and cultures—the only arts organization in the region to do so.

Elisa Klein

I’ve been a professional journalist and writer since 1987, (and long-time reporter for KOIN-TV.) As a nationally published reporter, with a Master’s Degree in Journalism, I love to report positive news and information. Journalism has also connected me with another non-profit where I served as a leader; the Northwest’s biggest writer’s organization: The Willamette Writers.