Hamilton, Ohio – The hardest part was keeping the video shorter than Gone With the Wind.
Because – editing aside - it’s no chore to say “thank you,” especially to some of your best supporters. In fact, it’s a privilege to have the opportunity.
The Fitton Center for Creative Arts hosted its inaugural donor appreciation event Saturday, May 18, in the mosaic studio.
“We wanted to have the event in a place not everyone gets to see or use,” said Arnita Gunn, development manager, who arranged the event. “It was about sharing something special. Some of our guests had never been in that studio before.”
They enjoyed a brunch catered by Two Women in a Kitchen, a hosted bar with mimosas and more, a pair of wearable art activities and a guided gallery tour.
Plus the video. Squeezing the entire 2023-2024 season into a three-minute window proved challenging. Beyond the depth, breadth and diversity of programming on Fitton Center stages, the video also shared moments from the year in education, outreach and community engagement.
“We wanted to show people a bigger picture of what and how much they are supporting,” Gunn said. “We wanted to thank them and show them we are good stewards of their generosity.
“We also wanted it to be fun. This wasn’t about saying, ‘thank you, now can we talk about next year?’ This was about letting the donors know how much we genuinely appreciate their involvement and investment in the Fitton Center.”
Part of the fun came from creating colorful pendants with beads and a clear resin “baked” under an ultraviolet light. Another activity involved a miniature hammer-and-anvil typesetting kit used to personalize washers that were then strung into bracelets.
After the meal, video and craftmaking, Director of Exhibitions Cathy Mayhugh took guests on a personal tour through the 30th Anniversary Member Show exhibition, as well as the Community Gallery exhibition featuring student work from Immanuel Lutheran School.
“It was good to engage the guests in different ways and in different parts of the building,” Gunn said. “They’re making a positive impact on the whole city, the whole region, with their support. We’re grateful to have such amazing partners in our mission.”
Please enjoy some photos from the event below and take a look at the aforementioned 2023-2024 video highlights.
The Fitton Center for Creative Arts is located at 101 S. Monument Avenue on the Riverfront in downtown Hamilton, Ohio.
Building Community Excellence through the Arts and Culture
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