Visually Stunning and Bountifully Served 

More than $138,000 raised in support of art and arts education. 

LINCOLN, Neb. (May 3, 2023) The LUX Center for the Arts, together with over 300 community members, celebrated a record fundraiser for art and arts education on Friday, April 21 at the Scottish Rite Masonic Center. The 46th annual LUXe Party & Art Auction helps to raise critical funds for their education, exhibition, artists-in-residence, and outreach programs. Over 75 local, regional, and national artists contributed artwork this year to be auctioned off to help support LUX’s programs that provide accessible art experiences to all members of the community. More than $138,000 was raised through artwork sales, sponsorships, donations, and tickets sales, with over $30,000 in commissions paid directly to participating artists. 

The LUX recognized Geoff and Kristen Cline with the 2023 LUX Art Champion Award which is awarded to individuals who have been champions of art in our community and have shown special devotion to the LUX Center for the Arts. They show exemplary leadership in sponsoring, championing, and celebrating art in Lincoln.  

The LUX also recognized Karen Kunc with the 2023 LUX Community Art Award which is presented to an individual who has been a community leader that strongly supports arts education, public art, and increased arts events in our community spaces.  

The LUX would like to show gratitude to its generous community sponsors for making this year’s LUXe Party & Art Auction possible. 

LUXe Art Auction & Party Presenting Sponsor: Union Bank & Trust. 

Platinum Sponsors: Ameritas, Kristen and Geoff Cline, Karen and Robert Duncan, Nelnet, Rhonda Seacrest, Debbie and Lee Stuart, and UNANIMOUS. Gold Gallery Sponsors: FORVIS, Nic and Donivan Norman, Rivers Metal, and Woods Aitken. Silver Gallery Sponsors: Assurity, Ellen and Pat Beans, Jennifer and Brian Cintani, Gastroenterology Specialties, INSPRO – A Marsh McLennan Agency, Liz and Ken Koop, The Pansing Brooks Family, Kylee and Doug Roberts, Alexandra and Michael Roth, Sandi Stewart, Sue and Tom Tallman, Cline Williams, and Ella and John Wirtz. Partner Sponsors: Firespring, First State Bank, Clover and Matt Frederick, Suzanne and Mark Geist, Melanie and Jon Gross, West Gate Bank, and Laura and Doug Winjum. To be commended are: B&R Stores – Super Saver and Russ’s Market, Warren Cradduck, DA Davidson, David Clark Framing, Kristie Holoch, Virginia and Kelly Holthus, Sandhills Global. The LUX offers a special thank you to Brooke Mullen, Founder & CEO of Sapahn, an ethical fashion brand that crafts luxury leather bags and accessories that advance human rights.  

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LUX Center for the Arts is dedicated to transforming lives through art. We are a community of art lovers providing education through art classes, artist in residency programs, gallery exhibitions, and community outreach. We believe the LUX can help people make meaningful connections to art regardless of who they are. For more information about the LUX Center for the Arts and its programs, call 402-466-8692 or visit www.luxcenter.org.  

The Nebraska Arts Council, a state agency, has supported the programs of LUX Center for the Arts through its matching grants program funded by the Nebraska Legislature, the National Endowment for the Arts, and the Nebraska Cultural Endowment.  

Visit www.nebraskaartscouncil.org for information on how the Nebraska Arts Council can assist your organization, or how you can support the Nebraska Cultural Endowment, at www.nebraskaculturalendowment.org. LUX Center for the Arts is a member agency of United Way.