Nonprofit Event Program

25th anniversary

A benefit & performance On behalf of creative connections

Saturday, April 29, 2017 Stepping stones museum // Norwalk, CT

Congratulations Creative Connections For connecting the world's youth through the universal language of art.

Rose-Marie Fox Board Chair Silvermine Art Center www.silvermineart.org creative connections

Welcome Dear Friends, It is my great privilege to welcome you tonight. Thank you for joining with us as we celebrate our 25th anniversary.

In 1992, I founded Creative Connections with a simple goal: to help connect children around the world through art. I had little idea that we would grow to touch thousands of children each year throughout the United States and in dozens of countries around the world.

Today, our team at Creative Connections works with children in every corner of the world, from the midwest United States to Russia, to Jordan refugee camps, Guatemalan rainforest villages, and areas throughout Japan. Thanks to the incredible partnerships with schools, educators, funders, and staff, my simple goal 25 years ago has blossomed into a set of programs that teach children to understand and respect the diversity of cultures that make up our world.

I am thrilled to be presenting our Global Partner Award to a very important guest and longtime supporter of Creative Connections, David Janes of the United States-Japan Foundation. Our work, and the depth of programming in Japan, would not be possible without our partnership with Mr. Janes.

This anniversary milestone is possible because of you, the hundreds of educators and thousands of students who take part in our programming, as well as the Board and Creative Connections’ staff. To all of you, thank you. Because of you, we now turn forward to the next twenty-five years of inspiring global citizens around the world.

Warmly,

Alan Steckler, Founder & President 25th anniversary gala

"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it's the only thing that ever does."

--Margaret Mead

We thank Creative Connections for planting seeds of global understanding, one connection at a time! It is with pride that we support this profound organization.

-Diane, Rob, Emily, Rachel and Sarah Fried creative connections

The Program 6:30pm

Cocktail hour Music provided by Rob Fried & Doug Hartline Performances by Tharanginee!

7:30pm

Program Begins

8:00

Welcome David Pritchard, Board Chair, Alan Steckler, Founder and President

8:10

Presentation of Global Partner Award David Janes, United States-Japan Foundation

8:15

Dinner Catering by Marcia Selden Catering & Events

9:00

Speakers Frantz Gabriel, Westhill student representative of 2017 USA ArtLink Partner of the Year

9:15

Fund the Mission Auction

9:45

Tharanginee! Performance

10:15

Thank You

25th anniversary gala

many thanks Creative Connections’ Board of Directors Alan Steckler, Founder & President David Pritchard, Chair Kim Beck Diane Fried Wouter GoedKoop Dr. Cheryl Iozzo

gala committee members Diane Fried Wouter GoedKoop Susie Hurwitt Mindy Pritchard Susie Salomon Alan Steckler

Staff

Alan Steckler, Founder & President Polly Loughran, ArtLink Program Director Miguel Barreto, Rainforest ArtLink Program Director Annette Thompson, Office Assistant Nancy Blasnik, Bookeeper

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EVENT SPONSORS AMBASSADOR

Rob and Diane Fried Alan and Debbie Steckler

emissary

Fairfield County Bank Wouter and Hanneke Goedkoop David and Mindy Pritchard Donald and Libby Steckler

with special thanks to

Rob Fried and Doug Hartline, Jazz Musicians Marcia Selden Catering & Event Planning Stepping Stones Museum For Children Ashley Gaudiano, Marketing Paola Kaoud, Photographer The Printing Center The Artist Market

25th anniversary gala

Global partner honoree David janes & the united states-japan foundation This year, we are honoring David Janes and the United States-Japan Foundation as our 25th Anniversary Global Partner Honoree. The United States-Japan Foundation is “committed to promoting stronger ties between Americans and Japanese by supporting projects that foster mutual knowledge and education, deepen understanding, create effective channels of communication, and address common concerns in an increasingly interdependent world.”

The Foundation understands the critical importance of a thriving relationship between the United States and Japan, and is committed to funding initiatives like Creative Connections that foster education and understanding between the two countries.

Mr. David Janes is the Director of Foundation Grants and Assistant to the President at the United States-Japan Foundation, where he leads the Foundation’s grant-making programs. Mr. Janes is a long time ally and supporter of Creative Connections, and could not be a more fitting honoree for this prestigious award.

http://us-jf.org/

creative connections

THARANGINEE!

This year’s gala performer is the talented Indian dance troupe, Tharanginee!

With their colorful costumes, beautiful music, and vibrant dancing, Tharanginee! transports audiences to the traditional homelands of India.

These talented teenage students blend dance, drama, yoga and martial arts in a mesmerizing program of classic Bharatanatyam and colorful folk dances.

Audiences will also enjoy seeing ancient Hindu tales brought to life.

Touring Connecticut April 21-May 5, 2017

25th anniversary gala

2017 ARTLINK PARTNERS of the year Creative connections congratulates 2017 Artlink partners of the year

USA ARTLINK PARTNER OF THE YEAR Westhill High School in Stamford, Connecticut, USA Teacher: Robin Konrad Students: Frantz Gabriel | Maria-Paula Guerrero | Judyliz Cleto | Wincharm Grant Munera Begum | Djesnie Glaude | Kevin Hurtado | Tageria Davis

INTERNATIONAL ARTLINK PARTNER OF THE YEAR The Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Educare in Chennai, India.

Teacher: B.Jayalakshmi (Jaya) Students: Aswin J. | Rana Loukrakpam | Vignesh Prabhu. M | Guna Sekar. K | Harish Blaji.L | Vishnu.M | Barghavan.R | Aswath.R | Deepak Kumar.J | Ganesh.M

We would like to recognize and sincerely thank our classroom sponsors: ArtLink David & Lisa Schlakman | Everette & Sally Schenk | Jack & Marilla Neafsey Alan & Debbie Steckler | Diane & Rob Fried RainForest ArtLink Phil Strauss | Richard Worth | David & Susie Hurwit | Jennifer Knebel William & Alice Burnham

Because of their generosity, ten (10) underserved classrooms now have access to our award winning ArtLink and RainForest ArtLink programs.

To learn how you can support a classroom, email Polly Loughran, ArtLink Program Director: ploughran@creativeconnections.org

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FUND THE MISSION TONIGHT’S AUCTIONEER

David Pritchard, Board Chair Each guest will receive a bidder number/pledge card upon arrival. Please use this card at the auction to make a pledge. Creative Connections will collect your pledge card at the end of the evening and follow-up with you accordingly to receive payment.

Capital Markets Advisory Services

We are happy to support Creative Connections with its visionary approach to cultural education Experience, knowledge, and insight leads to superior deal execution Aequitas Advisors, LLC 1266 East Main Street, 4th Floor Stamford, CT 06902 Phone: 203-352-2710 Website: www.aequitasadvisorsllc.com

25th anniversary gala

Creative Connections. . .

Unceasingly reminding the world of its oneness.

-Donald Steckler

ArtLink students in Jordan

Congratulations to all Creative Connection staff!

-The Goedkoops

creative connections

The world through art. A better place.

-Susie Salomon

ArtLink Photo, V.S. Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Educare

25th anniversary gala

Congratulations Alan!

Thank you for 25 years of inspiration. Here’s to many more.

-Creative Connections’ Team

Thank You Creative Connections...

...for enriching our community with your talent, passion, and dedication.

We are proud to support Creative Connections.

creative connections

Lettuce Enter tain You!

Congratulations on your 25th Anniversary.

We’re so proud to support Creative Connections.

Connecticut 203.353.8000

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marciaselden.com

New York 212.921.4100

4/5/17 3:14 PM

25th anniversary gala

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