Center wins with wine

Heart health advocates Go Red

The Winemaker’s Dinner on May 16 opened the three-event Art of Wine Festival to benefit the Walton Arts Center in Fayetteville. Arts education and outreach programs will reap the benefits of the tasting dinner. Supported programs include the Colgate Classroom Series, Arkansas History Through the Arts and Arts With Education Institute (AWE). The center reached some 35,000 students in the past year through education offerings.

Aaron Piotter, E&J Gallo Winemaker, North Coast Operations, walked guests through wines that were paired with the menu created by Chef Matthew Barclay of Bordinos Restaurant and Wine Bar in Fayetteville.

Next up, the arts center’s 10th annual Artosphere Festival — with the theme this year of “Space” — will launch June 10 and run through June 29. The festival “spotlights artists and performers from around the world who are inspired by nature, and provides a creative framework for the community to discuss issues of sustainability and environmental awareness.” This year’s festival will be in various venues in Northwest Arkansas.

Arts education advocates at the dinner included Becky and Bob Alexander, Mary Ann and Reed Greenwood, Marti and Kelly Sudduth, Laura and Craig Underwood, Megan and Ryan Timberlake, Jean Ann and Joe Fennel, Gina and Neal Pendergraft, Mike and Terry Johnson, Kathy and Joe Farnan and Courtney and Todd Judy.

The Go Red for Women’s Health luncheon May 21 drew more than 1,200 American Heart Association supporters to the John Q. Hammons Center in Rogers.

The 16th annual event helped the nonprofit organization raise nearly $450,000 “for education, research and initiatives that address health issues facing residents right here in Northwest Arkansas.”

The morning portion of the fundraiser included the Purse-onality purse auction and health screenings and concluded with lunch and keynote speaker Dr. Phil McGraw.

Those going red for women’s heart health included Jodi Pinson, Silvia Azrai Kawas, Debbie Alsup, Buster Arnwine, Hans Driessnack, Denton Park, Adam Bracks, John Sharp, Juli McWhorter, Buster Arnwine, Josh Hamblen, Ashley Keller, Chris Haimbach, Ed Morgan, Kennedy Allison, Jennifer and Keith Allison and Kimberly Joubert and Diana Marshall, event co-chairwomen.

For more event photos — nwadg.com/photos/society.

NWA Democrat-Gazette/CARIN SCHOPPMEYER Gina and Neal Pendergraft (from left), Rachel Pendergraft and Marti and Kelly Sudduth help support arts education at the Winemaker’s Dinner on May 16 at the Walton Arts Center in Fayetteville.

NWA Democrat-Gazette/CARIN SCHOPPMEYER Aaron Piotter, E&J Gallo Winemaker, North Coast Operations (from left); Latriece Watkins, Winemaker’s Dinner honorary chairwoman; and Joe Farnan, event chairman, welcome guests to the Walton Arts Center benefit May 16.

NWA Democrat-Gazette/CARIN SCHOPPMEYER Diana Marshall (left) and Kimberly Joubert, Go Red for Women co-chairwomen, visit with Dr. Phil McGraw after the American Heart Association fundraiser May 21.

NWA Democrat-Gazette/CARIN SCHOPPMEYER Laura and Craig Underwood attend the Winemaker’s Dinner to benefit the Walton Arts Center.

NWA Democrat-Gazette/CARIN SCHOPPMEYER Drs. Danelle Richards (from left), Michael Green and Ashu Dhanjal attend the Go Red luncheon.

NWA Democrat-Gazette/CARIN SCHOPPMEYER Hans Driessnack (from left), Denton Park, Adam Bracks, John Sharp and Juli McWhorter represent Northwest Health at Go Red for Women.

NWA Democrat-Gazette/CARIN SCHOPPMEYER Jenny Campbell (from left), Becca Johnson and Lindsey and Brock Gearhart enjoy the Winemaker’s Dinner.

NWA Democrat-Gazette/CARIN SCHOPPMEYER Jessica Ritchie, Kevin McAuley, Buster Arnwine, Josh Hamblen and Ashley Keller represent RB at Go Red.

NWA Democrat-Gazette/CARIN SCHOPPMEYER Peter Lane and Barb Putman (from left) visit with Terry and Mike Johnson at the Winemaker’s Dinner on May 16.