News Briefs: Winners of Art in the Village; Music Institute raises $750,000 at annual benefit

More than 3,000 people took in the art and atmosphere at the annual Art in the Village on June 25-26, according to a press release from the event’s organizer, the North Shore Art League.

“What an amazing weekend,” NSAL Executive Director Linda Nelson said in the release. “… Rain or shine, the artists displayed and sold their work, the crowds were happy, and the board, staff, and volunteers worked hard to ensure the show’s success!” 

The diverse artwork is on display and also professionally judged with the winners receiving certificates and prize money. First place went to Jack Kraig, of Evanston; second to Linda Bernasconi, of Chicago; third to Gary Stretar, of Spencer, Ohio; and honorable mention to Glenna Adkins, of Fort Thomas, Kentucky; Jeff Condon, of Grand Rapids, Michigan; and Jenny Henley, of Marietta, Georgia.

“It was a great honor to judge the work of this diverse range of artists. It was difficult to choose just a few winners among so many worthy contenders,” said Brian Sindler, one of the show’s judges and past NSAL faculty member, in the release.

For more information about the NSAL’s classes, workshops, summer art camps, programs or special events, call (847) 446-2870 or visit northshoreartleague.org. 

The Music Institute of Chicago, which is headquartered in Winnetka, raised more than $750,000 around its annual benefit on June 2 at the Four Seasons Hotel in Chicago.

According to a release from the institute, the funds — raised through ticket sales, sponsorships and donations — benefit financial aid and scholarships and programming offered by the organization.

During the event, Hilary Hahn was presented the Dushkin Award, while the Cultural Visionary Award went to Nancy and Scott Santi, and the Richard D. Colburn Award for Teaching Excellence to cello faculty Dr. Tanya L. Carey.

Performances included Hahn, a violinist; the drumline from the LEARN Excel Charter School; a New Orleans Band procession; and students in the Music Institute’s Community Music School and its Academy for gifted pre-college students.

“Tonight, we celebrate music, from discovery through mastery and to the many spaces in between,” said Scott Verschoor, chairperson of the institute’s board of directors, who is also an adult student at the school. “We celebrate the importance of music to provide healing to a country and world faced with pandemics, war, and civil unrest. Music will always be our constant.

“At the Music Institute we believe music is an essential element of a compassionate community; it strengthens bonds and nourishes the human spirit. We also believe live music and quality music education should be accessible to everyone.”

The Record is a nonprofit, nonpartisan community newsroom that relies on reader support to fuel its independent local journalism.

Subscribe to The Record to fund responsible news coverage for your community.

Already a subscriber? You can make a tax-deductible donation at any time.