Local News
Cultural Executives Committee Has “Wild” Season Kickoff Celebration
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Party animals Wilbur, Crusher, and Scooter were a hit
The Palm Beach County Cultural Council’s Cultural Executives Committee (CEC) recently held its season kickoff party at the Tropics Café in the Palm Beach Zoo at Dreher Park.
Over 70 executives from various cultural organizations across the county were joined by party animals Crusher, a baby alligator, Wilbur, a two-toed sloth, and Scooter, a bearcat. The wild crowd greeted cultural executives such as Judith Mitchell of the Kravis Center for the Performing Arts, Nanette Lawrenson of the Loggerhead Marinelife Center, Manuel Bornia of the Cultural Trust of the Palm Beaches, and Joe Gillie of Old School Square as they arrived on the deck of Tropics Café.
The action eventually moved inside where guest mingled, chatted about cultural issues, and enjoyed the café’s beverages and hors d'oeuvres.
“The Zoo is a great place to party!” boomed Dr. Terry Maple, Executive Director of the Zoo, as he greeted the lively crowd. Dr. Maple is also Vice Chair of the CEC and he spoke about some of the Zoo’s upcoming marketing campaigns, which includes constructing a show barge in the lagoon in front of Tropics. The barge will host musical performances and trained bird shows, among other things.
Sue Ellen Beryl, Executive Director of Palm Beach Dramaworks and CEC Chair, also addressed the crowd and mentioned Art at the Start, a new aspect to the committee meetings this season. At the onset of each meeting one representative will give a five minute presentation about the latest happenings at his or her organization.
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| Bill Hayes, Producing Artistic Director and Sue Ellen Beryl, Managing Director both of Palm Beach Dramaworks; Kate Alvarardo Administrative Director and Manuel Bornia, CEO & Artistic Director both of the Cultural Trust of the Palm Beaches |
The Cultural Executives Committee meets monthly to learn, network and collaborate. The group consists of senior management staff from over 120 non-profit cultural organizations across Palm Beach County.
Rena Blades, Cultural Council President and CEO, spoke to the executives briefly and noted some the great projects in the past that the committee collaborated on such as Mrs. Columba Bush speaking at Florida Atlantic University, organizing a community symposium with Benjamin Zander, Boston Philharmonic conductor and author, plus the increased collaboration between the School District of Palm Beach County and various cultural organizations.
After the concise addresses, the crowd continued enjoying the zoo’s ambience and chatting about the exciting season to come.
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| Elayna Toby Singer, Art in Public Places Administrator, Palm Beach County; Mark Alexander, Manager, Duncan Theatre at Palm Beach Community College; Leigh Woodham, Theater Manager, Dolly Hand Cultural Arts Center. |
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| John Marshall, President and CEO and Nancy Marshall Vice President both of the Marshall Foundation; Dr. Terry Maple, President and CEO, Palm Beach Zoo at Dreher Park. |
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| Therese Shehan, Executive Director, Armory Art Center; Judith Mitchell, CEO, Kravis Center for the Performing Arts; Crusher and Friend; Tom Pilecki, Executive Director, Center for Creative Education; James Mitchell, Senior Director of Theatre Operations and Facilities, Kravis Center. |
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Larry Boytano
Public Relations Coordinator
Palm Beach County Cultural Council
1555 Palm Beach Lakes Blvd., Suite 300
West Palm Beach, FL 33401
Tel. (561) 471-1601
Fax (561) 687-9484
lboytano@pbccc.org
www.palmbeachculture.com
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