IDYLLWILD ARTS FOUNDATION CELEBRATES 70 YEARS . . .
SEVEN DECADES OF CHANGING LIVES THROUGH THE TRANSFORMATIVE POWER OF ART
By Madeline Zuckerman

For Release . . . April 16, 2016. . . Los Angeles, CA. -- Idyllwild Arts Foundation in honor of its 70th Anniversary invited the community of Southern California to a top-notch celebration that took place at The NOVO (formerly Club Nokia) in Los Angeles on Saturday,       April 16, 2016.    Idyllwild’s 300 students representing 30 countries were on hand to perform, exhibit, attend, and support this tremendous milestone, which featured an extensive Student Exhibition and a Student Showcase performed by Idyllwild’s best talent on this world-class stage.   The over 900 guests in attendance included Idyllwild Board of Governors, Board of Trustees, Emeritus Trustees, parents, donors, and overall supporters.

“At this event, we raised nearly $ 500,000.00 toward the six million dollars in scholarships we provide annually to deserving students, “ stated Pamela Jordan, President of Idyllwild Arts Foundation.  “I believe this event was a catalyst toward our endeavor to attract students, artists, benefactors, and others to Idyllwild.  This celebration was an authentic representation of who we are and what we do at Idyllwild Arts.  I am thrilled to share with you the talent and passion of these young artists.  Seven decades of success is a milestone for any organization.  Marking this historic occasion for Idyllwild Arts is our opportunity to reflect on the impact our unique educational program has had on individuals around the world – an impact that can only be measured by bringing together artists, activists, learners, and teachers, who become empowered to make a difference in the world,” Jordan continued.

The network of Idyllwild Arts stretches throughout Southern California and some of the best minds in the entertainment industry offered to help mark this momentous occasion.  Former CBS producer and Idyllwild Academy alumna parent, Suzan Mischer stepped forward to be the Artistic Director/Producer of this anniversary celebration.  Suzan enlisted the expertise of her husband Don Mischer, to produce the video “WE ARE THE IDYLLWILD,” which premiered at the event.

The celebration began when doors opened at 5:00 p.m. showcasing an extensive Student Exhibition from the Visual Arts Department of Idyllwild, featuring paintings, sculptures, photographs, ceramics, and printmaking.   Guests were then escorted upstairs into The NOVO Theatre to enjoy a Student Showcase of outstanding performances, highlighting Idyllwild’s talented dancers, musicians, and actors of Idyllwild Arts Academy. 

The celebration continued into the night with an over-the-top Back Stage party in the luxe VIP Lounge of The NOVO, where guests were treated to specialty cocktails, Wolfgang Puck noshes, a jazz trio, food stations galore, and a 6 foot stretch of canvas that was painted during the party by several Idyllwild student artists from the Visual Arts Department.

“With successes, accomplishments, and triumphs in our rearview mirror, now is the time to renew our commitment to the powerful dream of our founders, and the visionaries who joined them to build an institution that will serve the world in the 20th and 21st centuries,” stated Pamela Jordan.  “We stand proudly on this solid foundation, and look boldly into the future to embrace new technologies and continue proven strategies to meet the challenges and opportunities that await our youngest citizens.  We invite you to be part of our future, a future that knows no boundaries and knows the impact that these artists will make around the world,” Jordan continued.

OVERVIEW OF IDYLLWILD ART FOUNDATION

It all began on Labor Day weekend in 1941, when Dr. Max and Mrs. Beatrice Krone, the principal founders, came to visit Idyllwild at the North Circle home of their friends, USC law school dean Robert Kingsley and his wife.  Like many, the Krones were instantly captivated by Idyllwild.  Their frequent stays reinforced a prescient sense that a forest setting can have a calming effect on mind, body, and soul.

Over the years, Idyllwild Arts has distinguished itself among peer schools across the country.  In 2016, Idyllwild Arts was designated an Exemplary School by ARTS SCHOOLS NETWORK.  Idyllwild Arts’ distinguished educational program, coupled with a world-renowned Summer Program, nestled in a unique mountaintop setting, has allowed Idyllwild Arts to establish a category of its own, known affectionately as “the magic of Idyllwild.”  

Today, Idyllwild continues to serve thousands of artists of all ages through its Flagship Academy and Summer Program.  The School’s graduates and summer participants help extend Idyllwild’s reach, as they perform with some of the most prestigious orchestras in the world, and exhibit in galleries and spaces once unimagined.  These individuals and graduates are utilizing their artistic skills to lead businesses, domestically and internationally, as they continue to spread the word about the relevance of art and creative expression that is so vital to our world today.

For more information on Idyllwild Arts Foundation, please call 951-659-2171 or visit www.idyllwildarts.org