Dear Friends:
We have bad news and good news.
The bad news is that after much discussion, The NOCCA Institute has made the difficult decision to cancel this year’s ART&SOUL gala due to the spread of the COVID-19 coronavirus. We do this out of concern for the safety of our extended family, including our supporters, board, staff, and the many NOCCA students, alumni, faculty, and staff scheduled to take part in this year’s gala.
You know that we depend heavily on ART&SOUL to support our many programs for NOCCA students, faculty, and the community, and we hope you’ll consider converting all or a portion of your purchase to a charitable gift to The NOCCA Institute. Those who choose to do so will receive a contribution letter for their taxes. If you would prefer to receive a refund of your ticket purchase, please reach out to gala@noccainstitute.com or call 504-940-2900.
The good news is that the ART&SOUL silent auction–which is conducted online–will also proceed as planned, as will the Winner’s Choice Raffle. Items up for bid include a dinner for 10 with James Beard Award-winning Chef Stephen Stryjewski, a ride in the 2021 Orpheus parade (and a table for 10 at the Orpheuscapade ball!), and a week-long trip to Spain.
To view and bid on auction items or buy raffle tickets, JUST CLICK HERE. The raffle drawing will now take place on Sunday, March 22 at 5pm, and auction bidding will conclude on March 22 at 6pm. We’ll notify auction winners and the raffle winner afterward and provide details about pickup options for their item(s). Delivery of auction items can also be arranged.
In closing, The NOCCA Institute would like to thank ART&SOUL co-chairs William Fagaly, Gregory Morey, Scott James, and Anne Raymond; honorary chairs Karen Kaia Livers, Wendell Pierce, and Phillip Youmans (all NOCCA alumni!); auction chair Catherine Giroir; and the rest of the gala committee. They put in countless hours of work to make this year’s gala an amazing event.
We’d also like to thank this year’s ART&SOUL sponsors, who were crucial in planning the 2020 gala–particularly the James P. Raymond Jr. Foundation, the Arlene & Joseph Meraux Charitable Foundation, the Patrick Family Foundation, Solomon Group, WDSU, The Candies Family, Gregory Holt & Lucy Burnett, Lupin Foundation, The New Orleans Advocate, CHL Linens, and Hancock Whitney.
If you have questions about any of this, please send an email to gala@noccainstitute.com or call 504-940-2900.
Thanks so much for your continued support. Take care, be well, and we hope to see you on campus very soon.
Sincerely,
Clayton Randle, President, Board of Directors
Sally Perry, Executive Director