Page 6 - Boca Club News - March '20

Page 6, Boca Club News
Boca Museum of Art Announces $1 Million Donation

For New Education Fund, Record-Breaking $630,000

70th Anniversary Fundraising Gala

Two major to receive such a groundswell of support for our new from PSAV, Incapital, NCCI Holdings, Inc., Mayors, Tauck,
philanthropic programs.” Wells Fargo, Publix Super Markets Charities, Fiduciary
events were The Museum’s 70th Anniversary Education Fund has Trust International, Saks Fifth Avenue, Dior, and Boca
announced by re-focused the orientation of the building, bringing the new Magazine.
the Boca Raton Education Center space front and center as the cornerstone Every year at the Museum in Mizner Park, more than
Museum of of both the building and the Museum’s mission. 15,000 children and 100,000 visitors experience the wonders
Art’s Executive “The art education programs are firing the imaginations and diversity of the visual world through outstanding
Director, Irvin of new generations of students in South Florida,” pointed exhibitions and programs. The Museum provides more than
Lippman, at the out Jody Harrison Grass, the Chair of the Museum’s Board 800 educational opportunities every year that encompass
Museum’s recent of Trustees. “For 70 years, the Museum has created unique tours, lectures, art-making workshops, storytelling, family
70th anniversary Jody Harrison Grass, (Chair of the pathways where people make personal connections with art programs, film screenings, and musical performances.
Gala held on Board of Trustees of the Boca Raton by looking, learning, and creating. The Museum makes art education convenient and
Saturday, January Museum of Art), and her husband “Along with my husband Martin, we hope others will accessible for youth and young adults by offering free
25th, at the Boca Martin Grass. They donated $1 million join our family and the Wolgin family in supporting the admission and programs for all primary, secondary, and
Raton Resort & to the Museum’s 70th Anniversary Museum’s Education Fund,” added Mrs. Grass. college students. It is a place where children, families, and
Club. Education Fund. Dan Wolgin is the newest and youngest member of the adults can deepen their imaginations, expand their creativity,
The first was Museum’s Board of Trustees. He was featured during the and share the sheer joy of being together.
the $1 million donation to its 70th Anniversary Education Gala’s 70th anniversary video, and represents the third At the Museum’s Art School every year, located in its
Fund, from Board Chair Jody Harrison Grass and her generation of Wolgins to support this institution. historic original home on Palmetto Park Road, more than
husband, Martin Grass. Twenty years ago, Dan Wolgin’s grandfather and 5,000 children and adults discover and grow their talent
The second was the news that the museum had raised grandmother, Bill and Acey, and great uncle and aunt, through quality art instruction. After-School and Saturday
more than $630,000 at the Gala, the highest amount the Sidney and Jacquee, supported the building of the current classes, Summer Art Camp, and Teen Workshops are an
museum has ever raised at this event in its 70-year history. museum in Mizner Park. essential part of over 100 classes and workshops that are
The event was Co-Chaired by Stacey and Evan Packer, During the Gala event, Irvin Lippman also stated, offered weekly. More than 100 scholarships are provided
Carrie Rubin, and John Tolbert. “Thanks to the major gift from Jody and Martin, and the annually to children with financial need.
The funds raised during the Gala were the result of ongoing support from the Wolgin family and so many others, The Art School is a place where children and teens are
record-setting sponsorships and a live auction. This year’s the Museum will open two newly-transformed spaces in the encouraged to explore their budding artistic interests and
event also featured a special “Gift from the Heart” call- Spring of 2020---the Jody Harrison Grass Lobby and the make art and creativity a lifelong practice.
to-action that encouraged guests to donate in honor of the Wolgin Education Center---creating greater visibility for The Boca Raton Museum of Art encompasses a creative
Museum’s 70th anniversary that was kicked off with Mr. its award-winning educational programs.” campus that includes the Museum in Mizner Park, Art
Lippman’s announcement of the $1 million donation by The Museum’s Gala Dinner and Dance is one of Boca School, and an Artists Guild. As the “Official Art Museum
Jody Harrison Grass and Martin Grass, and their children Raton’s most highly anticipated fundraisers of the season. of the City of Boca Raton,” the Museum has provided seven
Leila, Sharla, and Noah. Four hundred of the community’s leading philanthropists, decades of cultural and artistic service to the community,
“These two philanthropic milestones represent the collectors and business leaders were in attendance. The Gala and to many visitors from around the world. Open 10:00
generosity of Boca Raton, and the personal commitment was made possible by the support of: Presenting Sponsor a.m.-5:00 p.m. on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Fridays;
to the Museum’s trajectory of making a difference for the Karen Mashkin, Gift from the Heart Sponsors Jody and 10:00 a.m.-8:00 p.m. on Thursdays; and 12:00-5:00 p.m.
community,” said Mr. Lippman. “The Museum is honored Martin Grass, Platinum Sponsor the Boca Raton Resort and on Saturdays and Sundays. Visit www.bocamuseum.org for
Club, and Gold Sponsor Amy and Mike Kazma, along with more information.
many other individual Sponsors, plus Corporate support
“Chasing Jack,” Award-Winning

Play, at Willow Theatre In Sugar

Sands Park Through March 22nd

“Chasing Jack,” the award-winning play by John S. you know…’ There are two things I love, medicine and the
Anastasi, is currently in its southeastern premiere at the law. My daughter is a lawyer. So, I started to think of how to
Willow Theatre in Sugar Sand Park. The production, which connect them all, and after an especially difficult operation
won the Best Play Award at the 2019 New York Theatre the germ of the story began.
Festival Summerfest, will run through March 22nd. “I don’t want anyone to get the idea that I’m Jack, because
“Chasing Jack” is the story of Dr. Jack Chase, a surgeon I’m not,” he says. “Some of me is in him as I believe some
with a serious gambling addiction. Through the lens of of me is in all the characters I write, even the women. The
a malpractice lawsuit that could end his career, the play monologues Jack speaks regarding what it’s like to be a
explores familial relationships, medical ethics, and the heart surgeon are very real. The addiction concept is drawn
potentially crippling effects of addiction. The stakes couldn’t from having the unfortunate experience of operating on
be any higher as Jack looks back at pivotal moments in his drug addicts over the years, and watching them lie, betray,
life, his relationships, and his career. and systematically destroy every relationship, especially the
“I had written several plays, three of which were produced people who love them the most.”
Off Broadway,” playwright John Anastasi said recently, when Anastasi and Director Loewy have cast a combination
he was asked how “Chasing Jack” came about. “It was after a of local and out-of-town actors in the production. Galen
reading of my play ‘I Forgive You Ronald Reagan,’ starring Murphy Hoffman will play Dr. Jack Chase, and two-time
Lucie Arnaz and her husband Laurence Luckinbill, and we Tony Award nominee Crista Moore will portray the attorney
were all out for dinner. Lucie asked me about her mother’s Ockerman--the first time a woman has played this role. Other
aortic dissection (I am a thoracic surgeon in ‘my other life’!) cast members include India H. Jarvis as Taylor, Elana Valastro
and we started talking about heart surgery. She listened to all as Rebecca, David Sadaka as The Judge, Rick Malone as
the stories and was mesmerized, and at the end of the evening Robert, Ben Prayz as Dr. Fox, and Francis Allen as Dr. Noel.
she said, ‘You write well but the best stories are when you Performances: Thursdays, 7 p.m.; Fridays, 8 p.m.;
write and talk about what you do!’ My response was that I Saturdays, 2 p.m. and 8 p.m.; Sundays, 2 p.m. Tickets are $30;
spend 14 hours a day doing heart surgery, the last thing I group rates (six or more tickets purchased in one transaction)
want to do is sit in front of a computer and write about it. are $25. Tickets can be purchased online at sugarsandpark.
“So, two plays later I was at the opening night party org/chasing-jack or by phone at (561) 347-3948. The Willow
of my play, ‘Would You Still Love Me If,’ with Kathleen Theatre is located at 300 South Military Trail, in Boca Raton’s
Turner,” Anastasi continued. “John Patrick Shanley came Sugar Sand Park (33486).
up to me and said almost the same thing: ‘Write about what

Thursday, March 19th