On May 30, the Flint Institute of Arts hosted The Party: Arts of the Ancients, the annual FIA fundraising event, in partnership with Shea Automotive.
Now on its fourteenth year, the event comes from collaboration involving FIA leadership, staff, volunteers, and over 70 sponsors including Greater Michigan Oral Surgeons, Karlene Dermatology and Sorensen Gross, as well as a planning committee working throughout the year to put together the event.
The event featured glassblowing, ceramic demonstrations, psychic entertainers, a harpist and a silk aerialist. As well as a raffle with a prize of a handblown glass vessel valued at over $9,000, made by Italy-based artists the Ferro Brothers. All proceeds from the event go towards supporting art programs within the FIA and outreach programs supporting PreK-12 students within the Flint area.
Director and Curator of Collections and Exhibitions, Sarah Kohn said fundraisers at the FIA are important to its mission in supporting the community.
“This one in particular really goes for K-12 programming,” Sarah Kohn said. “Art education is essential.”
As a signature event at the FIA, proceeds help to increase access to art for students of all ages in Flint, and inspire creativity through school partnerships, student tours, hands-on learning experiences and community-based programming.
Photo of artists at The Party: Arts of the Ancients on May 30, photo by Rylie Yeiter/MTimes 
Photo of musician at The Party: Arts of the Ancients on May 30, photo by Rylie Yeiter/MTimes 
Photo of the food table at The Party: Arts of the Ancients on May 30, photo by Rylie Yeiter/MTimes 
Photo of guests at The Party: Arts of the Ancients on May 30, photo by Rylie Yeiter/MTimes
Events and Beverage Manager, Ximena Kohn, said events like this help create connection, engagement and shared purpose, but also help to highlight the FIA’s work.
“These events help strengthen relationships, increase awareness of [our] mission and generate critical support that enables the organization to continue providing impactful programs and experiences for people,” Ximena said.
Ximena said this year’s theme, Arts of the Ancients, was inspired by the FIA’s exhibition programming and artistic traditions of ancient cultures, with the goal of connecting Flint with cultural experiences from around the world.
FIA Model, Amari Lee, said organizers for the event drew inspiration from history books and ancient civilizations. Lee said events like this strengthen the community.
“I think it helps bring local communities together when it takes place within their own community, but it also helps bring the niche communities together like the art communities or for this instance people who are into history,” Lee said. “It’s a really good way to introduce people to other things based on the groups that it’s associated with.”
