On the Town: Fundraiser supports art therapy program for injured children
Art, in all its forms and genres, can do so many things: joyously inspire, angrily disturb and even change hearts and minds.
It can also heal, as evidenced on a regular basis by the Family Service Agency of Burbank’s Windows to Inner Worlds program, in which, by the use of art therapy, it provides traumatically-injured children the opportunity to safely explore their difficult experiences, build hope and dare to dream again.
To support that work, more than 250 Burbankers, representing all walks of personal and professional life, gathered at the Cartoon Network Studios in downtown Burbank for the Family Service Agency’s fourth Healing Arts Auction, which included a cocktail reception and rooftop dinner this past Friday evening.
Hosted by Brian Miller, senior vice president and general manager of Cartoon Network, and Laurie Bleick, executive director of the Family Service Agency, the event, which showcased the works of 100 artists, was chaired by former Burbank Mayor Marsha Ramos.
Along with serving as an important evening of fundraising for the Family Service Agency’s art therapy program, the event also honors local artists who have made significant artistic contributions and have a strong connection to the Burbank community. Emceed by mistress of ceremonies Jamie McGuire Butterworth, the event’s 2017 Spotlight Honoree award ceremony paid tribute to Randall Williams and Chris Runco.
Williams, a prolific and successful artist known for his colorful murals that have been installed in Burbank and throughout the region, is an award-winning street chalk artist whose work has been displayed from coast to coast. He also shares his artistic and creative energy by holding art classes for budding artists of all ages.
Runco, a Disney Imagineering artistic director and concept designer, was a longtime political cartoonist for the Burbank Leader and Glendale News-Press and is also the creative mind behind Dewey the Dragon, the mascot for the Burbank Public Library.
Among the numerous dignitaries who perused the eclectic collection of artistic works — all created and donated by artists from Cartoon Network, Nickelodeon and Disney as well as local artists, students, and community members — were state Sen. Anthony Portantino, state Assemblywoman Laura Friedman, Mayor Will Rogers, City Councilman Jess Talamantes, City Clerk Zizette Mullins, former Mayor Anja Reinke and former City Councilman Tim Murphy.
The Family Service Agency is a community mental health and wellness center founded in 1953. Along with the services it offers at its Burbank Boulevard facility, it also provides mental healthcare to Burbank youth on 19 local school campuses.
For more information about Family Service Agency and its art therapy program, visit its website at www.FSAhealingarts.com or call (818) 845-7671.
DAVID LAURELL may be reached by email at dlaurell@aol.com or (818) 563-1007.
