Join Gary Fisch on March 26th, 2009 for the Great Conversations Fundraiser Dinner.What Is It?Great Conversations is the Arts Council of the Morris Area’s exciting new fund-raising event. With this unique event, the Arts Council takes a step away from high speed interactions, fashion statements and passive entertainment to return to the highly valued art of conversation for a stimulating and fun evening. We have sought to bring together a diverse group of people who contribute in differing ways to the vibrancy of our community and who will offer a wealth of interests and information for great conversations.
It is an evening full of opportunity to explore new ideas and discover new interests beginning with a reception attended by all the Conversationalists and dinner guests. The reception is followed by a dinner at which each Conversationalist will be seated with a number of guests to explore ideas and share thoughts. Everyone is encouraged to participate and add to the dinner conversation for that is what will make it great.
Great Conversations also offers the Arts Council the opportunity to demonstrate the connection between the arts and the rest of our world. The arts enrich our lives in multiple ways – as a critical element in our children’s education, stimulating our economy, strengthening our communities, teaching us understanding and providing a source of inspiration and healing.
When and Where is it?Great Conversations will be held on
Thursday, March 26, 2009, at the Hyatt Morristown,Headquarters Plaza, Morristown, New Jersey. The reception will start at 6:30 p.m. immediately followed by dinner at 7:30 p.m. in the Grand Ballroom.
Dress is business attire. Complimentary parking is being provided by the Hyatt.
Who Does It Benefit?All proceeds directly benefit the programs and services of the Arts Council of the Morris Area, a leading arts organization in Morris County. Arts Council programs and services include:
Arts Education programs that enhance our children’s development of life skills - critical thinking, innovation, creativity and understanding.
▪ Brings the arts into schools with interactive assemblies, workshops and artist residencies by teaching artists ▪ Reaches children at risk with art programs involving theatre, storytelling and music ▪ Mentors aspiring high school artists ▪ Annually awards scholarships to students who excel in the arts
Assistance to local artists and arts organizations with professional development and technical skills workshops to prosper in our competitive marketplace. Arts organizations also receive New Jersey State Council on the Arts grants through the Arts Council.
▪ Promotes local artists by providing exhibition opportunities and technical assistance workshops ▪ Strengthens local arts organizations through grants, promotion and technical assistance workshops
Arts Participation programming touches lives through providing experiences in the arts - local community concerts, exhibits and programming of special events.
▪ Provides exciting cultural events for the entire community such as the annual Giralda Farms Concert, the Community Mural Arts Project and programming for First Night® Morris and Atrium Art Gallery ▪ Annually spotlights the arts community with an awards celebration ▪Provides arts information and updates through a newsletter and website
The Arts Council of the Morris Area is a 501(c)3 registered non-profit dedicated to enriching and transforming the life of every individual through the arts. A list of recent accomplishments follows on a separate sheet.
How Do I Obtain Tickets?Individual tickets are available at $175 per person. We do have limited seating capacity so please RSVP early. (Seating availability is based on first-come, first-served basis.)
Who Will Be Invited?The event is open to everyone. We welcome guests who may want to spend an interesting evening out and our current patrons of the Arts Council. Invitations will be mailed to patrons and supporters currently on the Arts Council’s mailing list.
Additional invitations can be requested by calling Karin Becker at the Arts Council, (973) 285-5115, ext. 14.Who are the Conversationalists?
Dr. J. Michael Adams
President, Fairleigh Dickinson UniversityRay Anderson
“Mr. Ray” family entertainment singer/songwriterDennis M. Bone
President, Verizon New Jersey, Inc.Elizabeth G. Christopherson
President & CEO, The Rita Allen FoundationThomas R. Curtin, Esq.
Shareholder, Graham Curtin, P.A.Former President, NJ State Bar AssociationGary Fisch
Founder & CEO, Gary’s Wine & MarketplaceDavid Grant
President & CEO, Geraldine R. Dodge FoundationRoberta Guaspari-Tzavaras
Music Educator, featured in Music of the HeartEric Hafen
Artistic Director, Bickford Theatre at the Morris MuseumPaul Hostetter
Music Director, Colonial SymphonyDr. Emlyn Koster
President & CEO, Liberty Science CenterHonorable Thomas H. Kean
Former Governor of New JerseyFormer President, Drew UniversityChairman/9/11 commissionJohn J. Kowalik
Headmaster, The Peck SchoolWilliam J. Marino
President & CEO, Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New JerseySassona Norton
Sculptor, Pennsylvania’s 9/11 MemorialJohn B. A. Nye
Owner/Auctioneer, Dawson & NyeBart Oates
Principal, Cohn Real EstateFormer Center, New York Giants(including Super Bowl XXI & XXV teams)Frank Previte
Songwriter, “I Had the Time of My Life” from Dirty DancingDr. Clement Alexander Price
Board of Governors Distinguished Service Professor of History and Director of the Institute on Ethnicity, Culture, and the Modern Experience, Rutgers University, NewarkSister Francis Raftery
President, College of St. ElizabethCraig C. Shelton
Award Winning ChefFormer Owner and Executive Chef, Ryland InnHarry Simon
Owner, Simon Gallery focusing on contemporary American ArtJulia Somers
Executive Director, New Jersey Highland CoalitionFrank Sprow
Former Exxon Executive and World AdventurerMary Sue Sweeney Price
Director & CEO, Newark MuseumDr. Robert Weisbuch
President, Drew UniversityHow Do I Actually Talk with the Conversationalist?One of the Conversationalists will be seated at each table and will engage his or her tablemates in a fun and interesting exchange of thoughts and ideas – in other words, a Great Conversation!
May I Choose the Speaker with Whom I Dine?The invitation reply card includes the option to list your top five choices of Conversationalist with whom you would like to be seated. If you are interested in ensuring that you sit with a specific speaker, we encourage you to become a sponsor and receive priority seating. All seating is based on availability as of the date of your reply and receipt of payment.
But, no matter who your speaker is, all guests are guaranteed a fascinating evening of great conversation!
For more information, please contact MaryAlice Breuninger, 973-285-5115, ext. 13.
For more information go to:
http://www.morrisarts.org/
