22nd Century Media, Highland Park Landmark: The Arts Annual benefit raises $135K for Art Center
By LEE A. LITAS
For 22nd Century Media
The Art Center’s annual spring benefit in Highland Park on May 4 ushered in nearly 300 attendees along with a new era of art as business for the 58-year-old community center.
“Art isn’t about elitism,” said James Lynch, TAC’s newly-appointed executive director. “It’s not about knowing who the different artists are. It’s about using every part of yourself – your head, your heart and your hands. There is something here for everybody (and) we’re going to have fun here.”
Though he started just three months ago, Lynch, former chair of the Cultural Arts Commission and creator of the Highland Park City Gallery, has been actively doing outreach to local community stalwarts, from Nuestro Center to the Writers Theatre, seeking ways to collaborate.
“I get the artists, I get the work and creating a fun program but it’s also the business side. We’ve got to pay rent; we have to pay the teachers and make sure that we’re thriving,” said Lynch.
Since 1960, The Art Center has been offering classes in every discipline from jewelry making to ceramics. Nowadays, it also offers summer camp and even pop-up workshops.
Ana Spencer Reed of Chicago, event honoree and TAC Ceramics Program Head, teaches children’s classes and enjoys a serious following. Recently one of her students received a full-ride scholarship to the number one ceramics school in the country.
“I’m really dedicated to The Art Center and making sure that the Ceramics Program stays state-of-the-art,” said Reed who works diligently to make ceramics accessible to everyone. “I want people to know that it’s a competitive and active field, and you can pursue a career in it.”
A living example of this was another TAC honoree, Amy Amdur of Highland Park, who has been coming to The Art Center since she was five years old. Amdur brought the first painting she had done at age five at TAC to show the guests.
“I wasn’t even writing then, my mom was writing my name (on the paintings),” said Amdur adding that TAC classes, “Made such an impression that now I spend my life creating art festivals (and) giving artists a chance to show their work.” Amdur now produces the Festival of Fine Arts for TAC annually.
“You never know what life you’re going to touch and where that life may go through art,” said Amdur.
Going forward, Lynch has his sights on creating more socially-conscious events, from coat to food drives, in order to raise money for homeless, veterans and students in need of scholarships.
“There is a big need for it…so we are going to have those conversations here in this building.”
Quoting artist Andy Warhol, Lynch noted: “‘The best form of art is running a good business,’ and I believe so,” said Lynch.
Highland Park City Councilman, Alyssa Knobel concurred, calling TAC a community gem. “It is not just an economic engine; it’s a cultural engine that is valued by all of our residents.”
The event raised approximately $135,000 for TAC. See more at: theartcenterhp.org.
