By Matt SpectorContributing Writer
In the picture, the lights of Lei cast a violet glow across Kashmir’s horizon. SESP senior Jason Wagner took the photo this summer knowing he would donate it to Dance Marathon’s art night. And on a table in Cafe Ambrosia Wednesday, it joined a butterfly painted by a 7-year-old epilepsy victim.
Before her death, the girl added the words, “Butterfly hover near my mother and tell her that I love her.”
The works were two centerpieces as DM held its first stand-alone event of the school year, an Arts Night in the basement of Cafe Ambrosia, 1620 Orrington Ave. There were speakers from DM’s beneficiaries and performances from two a cappella groups. Art from Northwestern students and members of the community was on display for a silent auction. The event was held in conjunction with Evanston’s annual Arts Week.
Jayne Kenney and Denise Yasinow, Weinberg seniors, are the co-chairs of DM’s Norris Project Planning Committee that helped plan and run the event.
“They’re doing it because they have this creative passion and this beautiful art, and through their art we’re able to help and promote our causes,” Kenney said.
Yasinow said the event was an opportunity for speakers from Citizens United for Research in Epilepsy, DM’s primary beneficiary, and secondary beneficiary Evanston Community Foundation, to introduce themselves.
Kathy Dodd, a former board member of the epilepsy foundation and current DM liaison, spoke to the attendees about her daughter’s struggle with epilepsy. She discussed the ways in which DM will allow CURE to increase its contributions to research and raise awareness.
“The funds that we will be getting from DM are going to be a huge contribution,” Dodd said. “I really hope that through DM and efforts like this we can help find a cure for epilepsy.”
Dodd said that the night was a nice venue to bring the members of CURE and ECF together to continue building a relationship. Afterward, Dodd said she was very impressed with DM’s commitment and hopes that students and Evanston community members will get involved.
Dr. Sara Schastok, the executive director of the ECF, and Judy Kemp, one of its board members, also spoke at the event. Kemp discussed the ways in which the community group gives grants to community organizations. Schastok said she prized the partnership between the two organizations.
Student a cappella groups Purple Haze and Freshman 15 each performed a set of songs during the evening.
“It’s important for us to go out into the community and to give back,” said Jessica Sher, Communication junior and Haze member. “Its great for campus organizations to come together and support each other. We like the camaraderie.”
The two executive co-chairs of DM, Chip Newcom, McCormick senior, and Nadia Rawls, Weinberg senior, were on hand for the event. Newcom said that the event creates another way for students to see and connect with people who have epilepsy.
“It’s really nice to see an event like this that shows the range of the types of events that we do,” Rawls said.
Reach Matt Spector at [email protected].
