Celebration of the Arts

YOU ARE INVITED TO 

A Visionary Evening Supporting Ryman Arts

Thursday, April 4, 2024

5:30 - 10 PM PT

Grand Central Air Terminal | 1311 Grand Central Ave, Glendale

Parking is available along the street Grand Central Ave for all guests.

Sponsor parking is available in the lot.

Honoring Bob Weis, Philanthropist, Creative Leader, and Visionary

Celebration of the Arts exterior rendering, Scot Drake, Walt Disney Imagineering

YOU ENTER AN AIRPORT WITH NO PLANES

It's a magic portal to an unforgettable artistic journey: an evening of creativity and art. The only passport you need is your imagination. This is a joyous place where enthusiasm and love are passed from generation to generation, transforming the lives of young artists and delighting the patrons and mentors who channel the spirit of artist Herb Ryman and the artistic journey we all share.

This is more than a party. It's an opportunity to make an impact in the lives of hundreds of young artists.

THROUGHOUT THE EVENING, GUESTS WILL:

• Be transported through a unique art show and sale that will celebrate the artistic journey
• View little seen Herbert D. Ryman artwork through a curated exhibit
• Bid on one-of-a-kind experiences 
• Enjoy a carefully crafted menu of hors d'oeuvres and the evening's signature cocktails
• Sketch costumed models
  
• Meet the young artists and alumni of Ryman Arts
• Support the mission of Ryman Arts and the next generation of creative visionaries

Dress Code: Festive Casual

BOB WEIS began his career at Disneyland. He spent 35 years as an Imagineer, including 6 years as President, a year as Imagineering Global Ambassador, and currently leads Global Entertainment at Gensler.

Bob's art, storytelling, and design, and his innovative spirit have touched every Disney property around the world, including attractions, resorts, and cruise ships, most recently the Disney Wish and the soon to be launched Treasure.

Bob is the recipient of multiple honors from the Themed Entertainment Association, including Best New Theme Park for the ten square kilometer Shanghai Disney Resort, and the Buzz Price Lifetime Achievement Award. He has been awarded honorary Ph.D.s from Cal Poly, and from the Savannah College of Art and Design. But he is most proud to have received a Mouscar, Walt Disney's answer to the Oscar, awarded to him by Bob Iger last year, and the first ever tribute, second floor window, at the Disney Hollywood Studios at Walt Disney World.

Bob's new autobiography is being published by Disney Press and will be out in 2024. And he is the author of an upcoming, landmark collectors biography of Marty Sklar.

Press Announcement

Photo Credit: Mike Iwerks, Walt Disney Imagineering

THE MARTY & LEAH SKLAR CREATIVE VISIONARY AWARD is presented annually to an individual of singular creative vision and leadership who has made a distinctive contribution to the creative community: illuminating, inspiring, and expanding the impact, relevance and reach of the arts through their work and creative vision. Created in 2018, it is named for two visionaries who were co-founders of Ryman Arts. Leah Sklar has been active in community and educational initiatives throughout her life, including a key role in the development of Ryman Arts' mission and program. Marty Sklar was the legendary President of Walt Disney Imagineering, leading the creation of Disney theme parks around the world. Previous honorees include Kevin Feige of Marvel Studios, Hayao Miyazaki of Studio Ghibli and Academy Award-winning costume designer Ruth E. Carter.

WITH IN-KIND SUPPORT FROM

AND SPECIAL THANKS TO OUR SUPPORTERS OF THE ARTS

LISA & TOM WILLIAMS

 For sponsorship inquiries:
Shannon Huang, Director of Development and Communications, [email protected]

RYMAN ARTS transforms lives by creating access and opportunity for a diverse community of young artists through rigorous education in fundamental art skills and mentoring. Since 1990, Ryman Arts has provided free out-of-school art instruction, supplies, college counseling and career guidance to high school students throughout Southern California to over 39,000 students, serving approximately 550 students each year through our core program and an additional 2,000 through outreach efforts. More than 80% of students live in low-income neighborhoods, where free art instruction can have an enormous impact on unlocking the creative talent in our city's youth. We know from 34 years of experience and thousands of alumni that our programs transform lives.

Ryman Arts was founded in 1990, in honor of artist Herbert D. Ryman. A global traveler and Disney Legend, Herb learned from the world and then created worlds for us to enjoy. Herb's journey continues in each of our students' journeys - the next generation of creative leaders.

Learn more about Ryman Arts

Celebration of the Arts Event Committee: 
Christian Lachel, Event Chair 
Scot Drake 
Rebecca Flores 
David A. Price 
Shannon Huang 
Nancy Seruto 
Lisa Williams 

With event support from: 

Bob Rogers 
Jhenny Capilli 
Lacy Kelsey 
Anthony Onibon 
Rich Procter 
Emma Wood (Ryman '12), Graphics 

Ryman Arts Board of Directors 
David A. Price, President 
Fri Forjindam, Vice President 
Christian Lachel, Vice President 
Phil Hettema, Past President 
Michelle A. Lund, Secretary 
Floridel Martinez, Alumni Representative 
Ray Braun 
Eugenia Chen 
Scot Drake 
Peggie Fariss 
Wendy Heimann-Nunes 
Christian Lachel 
Don Morin 
Monica Leigh Rodriquez 
Nancy Seruto 

Ryman Arts Staff 
Diane Brigham, Project Director of The Herb Ryman Documentation Project 
Patricia Esquivel, Site & Outreach Coordinator 
Martha Fernandez-Grijalva (Ryman '13), Administrative Coordinator 
Rebecca Flores, Development & Communications Coordinator 
Shannon Huang, Director of Development & Communications 
Walter Marsh, Director of Finance & Operations 
Marilyn Nguyen (Ryman '11), Alumni Engagement Specialist 
Rebecca Tuynman, Director of Education