RYTMO showcased its work and achievements from the last two decades at the Inaugural Stone Gala of the Arts on Saturday July 20th and Sunday 21st, which took place at Marble Unlimited’s showroom in Anaheim.
The gala was hosted by Marble Unlimited’s CEO Michael Castro, propelled by his vision to bring some of the artistic energy of his prior home-borough of Brooklyn to the suburbs of Orange County.
“The inspiration behind hosting the Stone Gala of the Arts stemmed from a desire to celebrate creativity and bring the community together through the power of art,” Michael shared. “We believe that art has the ability to inspire, connect, and transform lives and we wanted to create a platform to showcase talented artists while also supporting meaningful causes.” Michael’s vision included juxtaposing these eclectic man-made creations against a backdrop of Mother Nature’s art — in the form of marble and natural stone — that adorn the showroom.
The gala included over 20 vendors, curated by Michael and local painter/pianist Anna Kundus, who together sourced a diverse range of artists whose work reflected the spirit of the gala.
“We sought artists who are not only skilled in their craft but also passionate about making a positive impact through their art,” Michael said. “We collaborated with local galleries, art schools, and cultural organizations to identify and invite these talented individuals.”
Taking place over two days, the gala attracted over 200 attendees who were invited to explore the displays and speak with the artists, eat exquisite finger food, and enjoy a complimentary beverage, while listening to tunes spun by the energetic DJ. Late into Saturday night, the crowd enjoyed a bonus concert courtesy of Acute Inflections, a lively jazz duo who lit up the room with their fun and unique show.
As beneficiaries of a portion of the proceeds from both the gala and the jazz concert, RYTMO was invited to host a booth in order to showcase the work we’ve done in Orange County over the past 20-plus years and share about the contribution we’ve made to the artistic community.
“As we saw at the gala, creative talent can come in many forms,” said RYTMO’s Executive Director Mike Anderson. “Sometimes it comes hidden in a child that doesn’t have the tools or resources to express that talent. We want to ensure that youth in that situation — not only hear about RYTMO — but aren’t burdened by the cost while they explore their musical abilities in the program.”
When Michael first heard about RYTMO through his non-profit network, he felt that RYTMO’s mission to empower and mentor disenfranchised youth through music and technology really resonated with him. “I was impressed by the tangible impact they’ve had on the lives of young people,” he said.
“We decided to donate a portion of the proceeds to RYTMO because we believe in their mission and the work they do. Supporting organizations that uplift and empower the next generation aligns with our values and we wanted to contribute to their efforts in making a difference…”
Michael is no stranger to philanthropic work, as evidenced by his dedication to running the non-profit Teddy Bears On Call, an organization that donates teddy bears to children receiving emergency medical treatment. The program started when Michael noticed a gap in emotional support for children in challenging medical situations and he wanted to do something simple yet impactful. “The idea of giving teddy bears emerged as a way to offer comfort and a sense of security to children,” he said. To date, the organization has donated teddy bears to over 270 hospitals as a gesture of care and compassion.
Given the outpouring of support from local art patrons, creatives and attendees, can the community expect more galas in the future?
“The Stone Gala was a tremendous success; the energy was vibrant, the artwork was inspiring, and the attendees were enthusiastic and engaged,” Michael shared. “Given the positive feedback and the success of this inaugural event, we are already in the planning stages for next year’s First Annual Stone Gala. We aim to make it an annual tradition, continually expanding and improving upon it.”
RYTMO is very grateful to Marble Unlimited for this exposure and for being selected as a beneficiary of proceeds from the gala. The contribution will help us continue to nurture future artists and we look forward to being involved in future events!