Written By Gus Gordon

Thank you to local artist Felicia Olin for the fantastic new mural that greets people as they enter the LRS Theatre lobby!

Felicia did a fantastic job creating this wonderful work of art, and we can’t thank her enough for sharing her artistic gift with us. The mural makes a great background to take selfies. Share your pictures with our new mural on social media with #hcfta.

Thank you to Jean Follin for more than 13 years of great service to the Hoogland Center for the Arts.

Jean served as our volunteer coordinator from the start, and she has been an amazing supporter over the years. We are thrilled to announce our new Jean Follin Volunteer of the Year award in her honor! Although Jean has stepped down as volunteer coordinator, she will continue to serve on several committees and on our board of trustees. Jean is also a long-time member of the Sound Celebration Chorus. Thank you Jean for your dedication to the Hoogland Center!

Congrats to Matthew Vala on being named one of the Springfield Business Journal’s Forty Under 40 honorees.

Matthew has been an invaluable member of the Hoogland staff since 2011. He created the Hoogland Education program in 2012 and has turned it into an outstanding success! The Hoogland Board of Trustees and staff are proud of his many accomplishments!

Hoogland’s Annual Fundraising Gala, “A Night On Broadway”, will take place Saturday Sept. 30.

Make sure you save the date for this fabulous event featuring cocktails, a silent auction, dinner and a performance by Broadway legend Liz Callaway.

Ms. Callaway made her Broadway debut in Stephen Sondheim’s “Merrily We Roll Along,” received a Tony Award nomination for her performance in “Baby” and won acclaim as Grizabella in “Cats” for five years on Broadway. She also starred in the original Broadway casts of “Miss Saigon,” “The Three Musketeers” and “The Look of Love.”

“A Night on Broadway” is sure to be a spectacular night of entertainment and fun. This gala is our primary fundraiser of the year. Please, mark your calendars and join us in supporting the Hoogland!