The Guilds of SCFTA hosts annual fundraiser supporting arts, education and community
The Guilds of Segerstrom Center for the Arts has announced their Grand Voyage All Guilds Annual Fundraiser on Thursday, May 29 from 6-10 p.m. at the Harborside Restaurant and Grand Ballroom in Newport Beach. The Guilds of Segerstrom Center for the Arts (SCFTA) is the oldest and largest of all the Center support groups. The focus of the Guilds is to build awareness and support of the Center, benefit the Center’s education, community engagement and artistic programs and to develop a greater appreciation for the performing arts in Orange County. While each guild hosts their own social events and yearly fundraisers, all members come together for this annual fundraiser.
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Photos courtesy of SCFTA
The Guilds will honor Shari Esayian with the first ever Guilds Legacy Award
Hosted by the Center’s passionate Guilds community and co-chaired by Vanessa Moore and Susan Condrey, this nautical-themed evening will feature live music by local Orange County band Yachty by Nature, dancing, a gourmet dinner and a silent auction, all in support of Segerstrom Center’s artistic and educational programs. If you would like to purchase tickets to the event and learn more about sponsorship and underwriting opportunities, click here.
The evening will honor The Beckman Foundation for their transformative partnership with the Center’s education initiatives. The foundation will treat guests to an engaging cocktail experiment along with other small science touchpoints throughout the evening.
The celebration will also recognize two outstanding members of the Guilds, Shari Esayian, recipient of the first ever Guilds Legacy Award and Gerrie Goodreau, recipient of the Guilds Inspiration Award, recognized for their passionate advocacy and impact within the arts community.
Esayian has been an active part of the Center since 1978, where she helped create and organize one of the first three original Guilds Chapters called Learned Ladies. By 1988, she became chair of The Guilds and has held many leadership and event organizing roles in multiple chapters.
In 1983, soon after the Center’s groundbreaking, Goodreau became a charter member of the Carmen Dragon Chapter. She would later become the chapter’s chairwoman and accept many leadership positions in multiple chapters in which she remains actively involved.
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The Guilds will honor Gerrie Goodreau as their Inspiration Award Recipient
The foundation was established in September 1977 by Dr. Arnold O. and Mrs. Mabel Beckman to give back to the scientific community. When the foundation was established, the Beckmans intended to disburse the full amount of the endowment within their lifetimes. Following the establishment of Research Institutes at University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, City of Hope, Caltech, Stanford and University of California, Irvine, it became clear to the Beckmans that despite their careful philanthropic efforts, the value of the foundation was continuing to grow and could provide support to the scientific community long after their lifetimes. In 1990, Dr. Beckman made the decision to change the foundation to be in perpetuity, and the mission was updated by Dr. Beckman to reflect his wishes to support young researchers with funding for innovative and high-risk research projects.
