Reacting to feedback from previous guests and with a yearly desire to entertain, engage, and evoke, the Art Mingle committee planned the early March event with several additions to prior fundraisers. If feedback from guests is any indication, these changes were for the better, as they figuratively and literally elevated Art Mingle: Hidden Gems to benefit Meadowlark Memory Program.

Brian and Aaron Stinson said they had a great time at Art Mingle! “We’re trying to go out to more local events and be part of the community more. We especially love anything to do with art,” said Aaron Stinson of Manhattan.

The 2025 event returned for the second consecutive year to SNW Gallery and the adjoining Union Hall on Poyntz Avenue. On the gallery side, a complimentary scavenger hunt enticed guests to mingle amid the colorful and varied artwork as they followed written clues to find artists’ names.

On the Union Hall side, numbered glasses of champagne enticed attendees to Sip for a Prize, paying $25 per glass for the opportunity to win three pieces of amethyst jewelry worth $660. In a nod to this year’s theme, a second-chance, hidden gem of a prize -- a white gold and natural lavender pearl necklace -- was given to the lucky person who had selected champagne glass No. 10. That winner? None other than Community Relations Director and Messenger Editor Sarah Duggan! G Thomas Jewelers and Pfeifley Jewelers partnered with the Memory Program to offer these prizes.

With ease of enjoying the always scrumptious event food in mind, several guests opted to purchase a reserved seat at a table for an additional $10, and committee members opted to figuratively elevate all event-goers’ experience by expanding the event to Union Hall’s second floor.

Art Mingle attracted about 130 ticket-buyers, sponsor representatives, volunteers, and Meadowlark employees, several of whom had not seen the event venues and/or had not been to a prior Art Mingle.

Two Mingle first-timers were the aforementioned Stinsons. They were the high bidders for a silent auction item, Founder’s Room seating at 324 Speakeasy, and “Wright Way to Kansas City,” a live auction package. The highlight of this getaway is sure to be a tour and happy hour at a privately owned home designed by influential American architect Frank Lloyd Wright, as well as a stay at The Raphael Hotel on the Country Club Plaza, and a $200 gift certificate for Gram & Dun restaurant, also at the Plaza.

“We are both fans of Wright’s work, but have not gotten to see it in person before. We also plan to take a couple of friends along with us for the experience,” Aaron added. 

Art Mingle revenue is near $47,000. This total is a combination of sponsorships, live and silent auction proceeds, ticket sales, raffle ticket sales, donations, and proceeds from sales at SNW Gallery at the event. The total does not include gift-in-kind contributions, such as goods and services that were offered in the live and silent auctions. Please see that amount below.

Here’s a look at the event by the numbers:

• Donated or provided items: 104
• Winning bidders: 20*
• Memory Program donors in live auction: 10
• Live auction revenue: $5,600
• Silent auction revenue: $4,285*
• Donations during the live auction: $2,150
• Additional donations prompted by Art Mingle: $9,932.50*
• Sponsorships: $13,750*
• Proceeds from gallery sales: $2,225*
• Raffle tickets: $1250*
• Gift-in-kind contributions: $5,400+ (donated experiences have indeterminant value)
• Gift-in-kind contributors: 36

   *higher than at 2024 event

Thank you to those represented in the numbers above who helped ensure the success of Art Mingle, especially the event guests and sponsors: Community First National Bank, Steel & Pipe Supply, WTC, The Trust Company of Manhattan, BHS Construction, SNW Gallery & Custom Frames, Union Hall, and Bell Family Foundation.

The event committee – Linda Cook, Meadowlark Foundation board member; Sarah Duggan, Community Relations Director; Becky Fitzgerald, Development Director; Michelle Haub, Special Programs Leader; Michaela Hummel and Brook Marcotte, Dining Services Leaders; Jayme Minton, Support Services Director; Kim Richards, Education Specialist at K-State’s Marianna Kistler Beach Museum of Art; Alyn West, owner of SNW Gallery, and Ginny Young, a local artist – also gratefully acknowledge auctioneer Kathleen Depperschmidt of Salina, as well as the Prairie Star Restaurant team, and several employee volunteers.

If you have a suggestion for a future Art Mingle, please contact a committee member.