News Release: 10/30/2025
The Springfield Art Association is pleased to announce Art Synergy, an evening of creative competition and fun. This gala is the Art Association’s year-end fundraising event. The event raises critical funds to fulfill the mission of the SAA to provide visual art education and opportunities to the greater Springfield community and preserve and protect Historic Edwards Place and the collections of the SAA.
For this event, the SAA has paired 17 local leaders with local artists to create original works of art that will be live auctioned at the event. In addition to the live auction, the evening includes a bartender battle, silent auction packages, music and dancing. Heavy hors d’oeuvres will be provided by Cured Catering and dessert will be provided by Bunn Gourmet.
Images of the artworks and auction packages are available online at https://artsynergy25.givesmart.com.
The leaders and artists are Zach Adams of 1221 Photography paired with artist Danny Brikshavana; Joe Aiello, Sangamon County Treasurer paired with artist Anne Logue; Beth Allen, Manager of Community Development for Girl Scouts of Central Illinois paired with artist Debra Nickelson Smith; Joshua Becker, Owner and Chocolatier of Coca Blue paired with artist Barbie LaFrance; Jamarco Clark, Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs for University of Illinois, Springfield paired with artist John Muchow; David Crumly, Partner and Research Analyst for Troxell Financial/Evergreen Wealth paired with artists Patty Bryant and Linda Post-Lucas; Jeff Enlow, Director of Web Solutions for Levi, Ray and Shoupe, Inc. paired with artist Jason Labonte; Danny Frey, Director of Communications for Ball-Chatham Community Unit School District #5 paired with artist Mario Clarke; Joel Horwedel, Executive Director for Lincoln Memorial Garden paired with artist Sheri Ramsey; Dave Kimsey, President of the Village of Chatham paired with artist Julie Brown; Denise Perry, Assistant Food Service Director for Springfield Public School District 186 paired with artist Kathlyn Edwards; Victoria Ringer, retired Director of Downtown Springfield, Inc. paired with artist Michelle Ryan; Shatriya Smith, Executive Director of the Garvey Tubman Cultural Arts and Research Center paired with artist Kaye Demlow;. Brian Sylvester, President of the Coalition of Rainbow Alliances paired with artist Donet George; Kelsey Turner, Director of Member Engagement for the American Dental Hygienists’ Association paired with artist Elizabeth Thai; and Karen Witter, Retired Community Personality paired with artist Tracey Maras. Our Bartender Battle Teams are Charlotte Kane vs. John Muchow and Bob Skorczewski and Rik Stone vs. Morgan Padget.
Tickets are $100 each and can be purchased online at https://www.springfieldart.org/art-synergy.html or by calling 217-523-2631. Proceeds support the programming of the Springfield Art Association.
For more information on this release please contact Betsy Dollar, Executive Director at director@springfieldart.org or 217-523-2631.
