Thank you for supporting the Better Futures Luncheon!
At the 2024 Better Futures Luncheon, 457 passionate supporters joined our youth to show their investment in Hilltop Artists.
MC Amanda Westbrooke led the crowd through an inspiring program that began with Puyallup Tribal School teacher Chris Briden blessing our event, and with multiple videos featuring students and alumni sharing the importance of Hilltop Artists in their lives.
Executive Director Dr. Kimberly Keith shared gratitude for our community, and explored the legacy of three decades of Hilltop Artists.
We heard from student speakers Victor and Stina about the powerful impact the Hilltop Artists programs and community have had on their young lives, and they shared their positive dreams for the future.
Keynote speaker, artist, and leader Corey Pemberton enlightened the supporters about their teaching artist journey, and the importance of developing as a creative leader and mentor. Corey encouraged the crowd to give meaningfully to help us reach our donation goal of $75,000.
Finally, we concluded with our Greg Piercy and Greg Owen Awards. We honored super-volunteer Lori Hess for her nearly 20 years of support with the Piercy Award. We honored teacher and artist Patty Davidson for her decades of compassionate mentorship and teaching with the Owen Award.
Explore event photos on Facebook and watch our students share their experiences and inspirations in the 2024 Hilltop Artists Better Futures Luncheon Residency video! [link]
Please save the date for the 2025 Better Futures Luncheon:
October 7th, 2025 at the Bicentennial Pavilion at the Hotel Murano.
Want to be a part of our next Luncheon? Please email Charli Berry about partnership and support through sponsorship, volunteering, giving and more! charli@hilltopartists.org.
Our Community of Support
43 Table Captains brought together friends, family, and colleagues to help us raise $70,476 (including $21,990 in new and increased Murrini Club donors)….verrrrry close to our $75,000 goal.
12 sponsors partnered with Hilltop Artists to help us spread the word and cover event costs by giving $28,000.
27 donors gave in-kind donations to support our silent auction and other needed services.
Supporters enthusiastically shopped and bid, purchasing $18,513 in glass pumpkins and merchandise, and bidding $22,335 to win centerpieces, student and alumni art, and other special items and experiences in our silent auction.
BIG thank yous to:
Our Sponsors
- Benefactor: Virginia Mason Franciscan Health
- Patron: Commencement Bank
- Artists: Bates Technical College, BECU, Beverly Grant Law Firm, P.S., Tacoma Community College Foundation, MultiCare
- Gaffers: Kitchen & Bath Design Studio, Sitecrafting, Financial Insights
- In-Kind Support: Museum of Glass, Hotel Murano
Our Table Captains
Ali Kemp, Angel Blanford, April Adams, Audrey Cosgrove, Beverly Grant, Clare Petrich, Debbie Lenk, Deborah Li, Donna Smith, Donna Davies, Doug Page, Emily Mendez-Bryant, Eric Augino, Heather MacMaster, Jami Block, Janice Bridges, Jayne Berglund, Jeff Cortazzo, Jen Rittenhouse, Jennie & Forrest Griek, Jessica Hogan, Jp Avila & Naomi Strom-Avila, Julie Lancour & Neil Jones, Karen Anderson, Katy Evans, Kimberly Keith, Leslie Jensen, Lori Hess, Louise Cooper, Natalie Eschenbaum, Par Dillon, Queena Tupou, Rafael Saucedo, Sallie Zimmer, Shone Cole, Steven Hill, Susan Keith, Syd Bersante, Therese Hammill, Tomi Budd, Vanessa Gathen
Our In-Kind Donors
Audra Laymon, BusyBody, Communities for a Healthy Bay, Destiny City Comics, E9 Brewing, Edgeworks Climbing Tacoma, EVO, Farelli’s Pizza, Gateway to India, Greg Piercy, Katie Dean, King’s Books, Locust Cider, McCoy Kids, McMenamins, Medzo Gelato, Original Pancake House, Pure Vintage, SkyZone, Stadium Thriftway, Tacoma East Asian Medicine, Tacoma Frame Makers, Tacoma Games, The Method Skateboards & Coffee, Tony Sorgenfrei, Trader Joe’s, Wizards of the Coast, YMCA
Our Volunteers
Janice Bridges, Trina Colburn, Shawn Cole, Sue Davis, Lori Hess, Lori Lauback, Melanie Lopez, Maddie Mixter, Kelley Roberts, Rob Ross, Samantha Shelby, Laurie Taylor, Jen Unger, Heidi Vasilauskas, Donna Williamson
Our students, alumni, staff, and board of directors!
Stay tuned for more photos and videos from the event. You can find them at hilltopartists.org.
