Chasing Light

Artwork by:

Cindy Brower and Amanda Adkins

Marionette Theater by:

Mila Strugatsky & BAHaus Studios

Gypsy Dance by:

Larisa Lopatko of Dance Fusion Studio

Music Performances:

Vocalist Karina Kurec with Pianist Mikhail Prokopets
Vocalist Zhanna Lamanna

Benefiting non-profit You Are The Angel

First Friday on Roosevelt Row at Olney Gallery

Artist reception and Ukrainian Fundraiser

Event Date: May 5, 2023
Event Start: 6PM MST / 9PM MST
Event Location: Trinity Episcopal Cathedral
100 W. Roosevelt St. Phoenix, AZ 85003

(The northwest corner of West Roosevelt Street and North 1^st Avenue)

 

 

Meet Our Artists:

Cindy Brower – Artist & Community Leader

Cindy Brower is a painter, photographer, and a Vinok maker ( Ukrainian floral crown). She has exhibited in various galleries in downtown Phoenix, Scottsdale, and Prescott. To complement her 30 years as a painter, she has begun to explore photography, creating intriguing, unique color images; finding magic in the ordinary.

Cindy has a deep connection to her Ukrainian ancestors — her mother was the daughter of Ukrainian immigrants. When the war with Ukraine began, Cindy started raising funds for charity by creating images for prints which she sold online to support World Central Kitchen. Cindy continues her fundraising efforts, working with the charity “You Are the Angel”, volunteering her time and donating profits from her art and vinok creations in support of the Ukrainian cause.

Please join us for the First Friday event to view her photography and support Ukraine. Cindy will be donating a portion of the proceeds from her show to You Are the Angel.

For more information about Cindy and her art visit urbanmysticstudio.com

To read more about her fundraising efforts and to see her extraordinary vinok creations please visit cossackcowgirl.com

“For those who seek, an image of hope can always be found. Slava Ukraini!”

Amanda Adkins – Artist

Amanda Adkins is a native of Arizona and graduated from Arizona State University in 2008 with a Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree in Art Education and specialization in painting. Amanda has had many solo and group exhibitions both regionally and nationally.

Her love for animal folklore & figurative painting is reflected in her works including her series Crow Speak which received local and national publications from sources such as; Java Magazine and The Endometriosis Foundation of America.

Amanda is currently working on a series called Alchemy in which she explores the healing aspects of spiritual Alchemy. After suffering for years with chronic illness she has decided to paint herself healing through means of color, abstract figures and meditation.

Her love for the desert and the amazing art scene in Arizona has kept her in her studio in the southwest showing her work. Amanda has chosen to donate 10% of sales on specific artworks to You are the Angel.

Mila Strugatsky – Artist

Mila Strugatsky is internationally acclaimed and multiple prize awarded artist. Mila exhibited in major art galleries in Americas and Europe. She had numerous exhibitions in New York, New Jersey, Massachusetts and South Dakota, a personal shows in her former homeland and was also exhibited in foreign countries, including Canada and France. Her artworks are represented in museums and prestigious private art collections.

At the Chasing Light event Mila will be presenting a performance by her unique Marionette Theater, a production of BAHaus Studios based on conceptual original scripts and showcasing marionettes handmade by the BAHaus group of artists and craftsmen.

Mila Strugatsky about her Marionette Theater: “Marionette theatre has been my passion for many years. I am a fine artist with a love of theater. The art form of puppet theater offers an opportunity to combine both art forms in unique possibilities of imagination and innovation”.

Check Mila Strugatsky art galleries on her website: http://www.milastrug.com

Meet The Dancer:

Larisa Lopatko of Dance Fusion Studio, Scottsdale

Romantic and passionate Gypsy or Romani dance and music have always attracted Larisa, who received professional folk dance training while growing up. Today, traditional Gypsy dance has spread to all corners of the globe, with various styles practiced in Europe, Asia, Middle East, North, Central and South America.

Larisa has been studying this dance under the guidance or professional instructors from Italy and Ukraine, performing at the local community events and festivals solo or with a group of dance enthusiasts.

She hopes to continue sharing this unique dance style with anyone who is interested in learning at Dance Fusion Studio in Scottsdale, while honing her own practice.

Contact Larisa:

Website: https://www.dancefusionaz.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/larisa.lopatko.98

IG: https://www.instagram.com/larisalopatko/

 

Meet Our Sponsors:

Arizona Bartenders

Arizona Bartenders will be serving drinks and mixers for your enjoyment!

Arizona Bartenders have been Arizona’s premier Bar Catering Service since 1999! They specialize in Weddings, Private Parties, Special Events, and more. All of their packages can be customized to suit your party needs.

Arizona Bartenders carries the Certificate of Liability Insurance that is required by your venue!

https://arizonabartenders.com/

The Nach

The Nach Mex-USA Food will be offering their signature tacos!

https://www.facebook.com/thenachphxaz

The Nach is a family-owned and operated Mexican-American food truck located at Sazerac Bar, in downtown Phoenix. Serving authentic Mexican food and American classics.

TequilaSnobs Events

TequilaSnobs Events will take you for an educational flight of 3 tequilas and 1 sweet tequila cordial

Visit TequilaSnobs Events on Facebook

TequilaSnobs offers Tequila Tasting Events for your corporate event, client appreciation, employee parties or just you and your friends. We bring incredible knowledge about an array of different tequilas to your home or office along with teachings all about this favorite southwest libation! Find your favorite and learn more than you ever knew there was to know about tequila all while swirling, sniffing, and sipping the perfect Agave Spirit. TequilaSnobs is different than any business or company. We are not a distributor and do not push or sell any tequilas. You get to try many different brands, types and ages and then go buy at your favorite store. With our events it is a set (small) amount of alcohol and a set cost.

About Olney Gallery

For over 20 years, the Olney Gallery has been a contemporary art space that is part of Trinity Episcopal Cathedral, which includes a labyrinth and sculpture garden across from the Roosevelt Light Rail Stop.

Our goal is to maintain the high standard of great art exhibits in the Olney Gallery. We strive to be one of the premier art galleries in Arizona and to well-represent our progressive minded congregation.

Manny Burruel

FIRST FRIDAYS

On the first Friday evening of each month, downtown Phoenix galleries, studios, and art spaces open their doors for free self-guided tours. Organized by Artlink, a nonprofit organization, First Friday is dedicated to bringing together artists, the public, and businesses for a greater understanding, appreciation, and promotion of the arts and the development of a strong and vital downtown Phoenix arts community.

Trinity Cathedral’s The Olney Gallery participates in this monthly community event.

 

 

About You Are The Angel:

 

A New York based non-profit organization Central Part Angels, Inc. DBA “You Are The Angel” was founded in 2017 to provide relief to people affected by disasters, such as the earthquake in Haiti. Since February 2022 the organization has been focusing its humanitarian efforts exclusively on Ukraine. It assembled a group of over 200 volunteers who are working around the clock in Ukraine, Poland, Moldova, Romania and the U.S. to provide shelter, food, basic medical supplies and psychosocial support to both the refugees fleeing Ukraine for safety and those who are unable to leave the country and are surviving the daily deprivation and brutality of war.

“You Are the Angel” is a volunteer-led organization that has no administrative costs, which allows for 100% of donations to be spent on providing relief directly to the victims of the war in Ukraine.

About Trinity Cathedral

Trinity Cathedral, where traditional worship encounters contemporary ideas. As the Cathedral church, Trinity plays a vital role in the heart of Phoenix. Trinity Cathedral seeks to be a place where all people encounter the living god, the reconciling Gospel of Jesus Christ, and the transformative power of the Holy Spirit. Life, worship, ministry, and the miraculous and mysterious work of God are intertwined here.

Trinity Episcopal Cathedral is located just north of the heart of downtown Phoenix. The Cathedral has a well-known and vibrant art and cultural presence in the greater Phoenix area. You will find regular events through the Music At Trinity program and Visual Arts Ministry. When you visit this historic church, you can experience the art gallery, walk the labyrinth, or sit and enjoy the beautiful windows. Trinity Cathedral has many spiritual and cultural events that take place throughout the year.