{"id":11238724,"date":"2025-04-01T06:30:28","date_gmt":"2025-04-01T10:30:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.baltimoresun.com\/?p=11238724"},"modified":"2025-04-01T16:33:46","modified_gmt":"2025-04-01T20:33:46","slug":"baltimore-scene-by-sloane-art-with-a-hearts-25th-anniversary-celebration-photos","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.baltimoresun.com\/2025\/04\/01\/baltimore-scene-by-sloane-art-with-a-hearts-25th-anniversary-celebration-photos\/","title":{"rendered":"Baltimore Scene by Sloane: Art with a Heart\u2019s 25th Anniversary Celebration | PHOTOS"},"content":{"rendered":"
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So much to revel in, so little time, at Art with a Heart\u2019s 25th Anniversary Celebration gala. Yes, the quarter-century mark was enough to bring some 600 guests to the M&T Bank Exchange in The Hippodrome Theatre at the France-Merrick Performing Arts Center. But many of those folks had more than just the birthday to toast.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

Some were there to show their gratitude for participating in the nonprofit\u2019s programs that offer art classes and projects to people not otherwise given that opportunity.<\/p>\n

[ MORE of Sloane Brown’s coverage of Baltimore’s party scene ]<\/a><\/p>\n

Then, there was Art with a Heart volunteers.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m just happy to be here with this many people; to see that we\u2019ve touched so many people in so many ways,\u201d said Janet Short, a nine-year volunteer veteran.<\/p>\n

For Megan Gatto, it was a Cinderella moment. At the stroke of midnight, she officially became AWAH\u2019s new executive director, handed the reigns by founder Randi Pupkin.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis is my coming out party,\u201d she said, with a laugh.<\/p>\n

And then there was the big birthday gift \u2013 about $500,000 raised for Art with a Heart.<\/p>\n

\"From
From left - Michelle Pindell, retired government employee, Kevin Bedford, ChapmanHatchett senior partner, and Maritha Gay, Lanier Electronics Group chief integration officer, at the Art with a Heart 25th Anniversary Celebration (Sloane Brown)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Another
Another highlight of the evening was the party\u2019s silent auction, offering masks created by local artists. (Sloane Brown)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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