An Eerie and Bizarre Affair

The 2015 Through a Child’s Eye Gala is inspired by the Addams Family characters created by cartoonist Charles Addams.

(L to R): Gala Committee Member Marilyn Ihloff, owner of Ihloff Salon & Day Spa; Honorary Chair Linda Allen, mosaic artist; Gala Committee Chair Sara Bost Fisher; Patron Chair Mary Ann Doran, owner of M. A. Doran Gallery; and TGAS Executive Director Matt Moffett. 

The 2015 Tulsa Girls Art School fundraiser, Through a Child’s Eye Gala: Inspiring Individuality, The Addams Family, is inspired by the works of iconic cartoonist Charles Addams, whose work was recently brought to Tulsa by Tulsa Girls Art School (TGAS), and the Henry Zarrow Center for Art and Education.
Addams is widely known for creating the spooky Addams Family characters, which inspired the 1960s TV series and feature films. “Inspiring Individuality, The Addams Family” is a fantastically eerie gala that will bring to life the essence of the Addams Family through an eccentric fashion show created in conjunction with Ihloff Salon & Day Spa, a new series of gothic style live-paintings presented by the TGAS girls, and an exclusive silent auction featuring the work of Oklahoma artists Chris Mantle, Matt Moffett, Marjorie Atwood and more. Sara Bost Fisher is chair of the event with patron chair Mary Ann Doran and honorary chair Linda Allen, mosaic artist.
Ihloff Salon & Day Spa stylists are creating an amazing fashion show with hair and costumes in the spirit of the Addams Family.
“The Addams Family theme adds energy and another dimension of creativity,” says Marilyn Ihloff, owner of Ihloff Salon & Day Spa. “The girls inspire everyone on our team. It’s a great match.”
Patron Chair Mary Ann Doran also joins TGAS at this year’s gala. “We’ve always supported TGAS behind the scenes so it’s great to be actually involved,” says Doran. “The quality of work from the girls at TGAS and the diversity of their education is impressive.”
Patron Chair Linda Allen collaborated with beginning and intermediate students on a mosaic project that will be available at the auction the night of the gala. “I love working with the girls and everyone I know loves this school,” says Allen. “If you haven’t taken the time to visit TGAS, make a point to. It’s a wonderful asset for young artists in our community.”
The advanced students, who are mentored by Marjorie Atwood, Linda Allen and Matt Moffett, will also have new works available for purchase during the gala.
“Through a Child’s Eye Gala: Inspiring Individuality, The Addams Family” will be held Thursday, November 12, 2015 in the Tulsa Ballroom of the Cox Business Center, 100 Civic Center. The funds raised by this event will be used to provide the girls with art supplies, quality instruction, transportation and other necessities to create their best artwork. For tickets and sponsorship opportunities, call (918) 949-9638 or visit www.tulsagirlsartschool.org to buy tickets online.
Tulsa Girls Art School, founded in 2007, is an innovative after school visual arts program that serves students from North and West Tulsa, beginning in third-grade through 12th grade. The TGAS studio is located in the Kendall-Whittier neighborhood, 2202 E. Admiral Blvd. The small class environment allows each student to receive individual instruction and encouragement as they develop valuable life skills.
Director Matt Moffett, along with other professional art teachers, instructs the girls on what it’s like to be an artist in the real world, including the business of art shows, creating a body of work, and speaking to art patrons. In addition, 30 percent of the students’ art sales are deposited into individual micro-savings accounts for them to use or save until they graduate from high school and TGAS.