The Oconee Performing Arts Society (OPAS) held its annual Soirée en Blanc & Noir fundraiser on Nov. 8 at Barrel 118 in downtown Eatonton.
Guests arrived in sophisticated black-and-white attire for an elegant evening of celebrating local performing arts while raising crucial funds to support arts education for students in Lake Country and its surrounding areas.
The event featured live performances by music students from The McDuffie Center for Strings at Mercer University, which showcased the transformative power of the performing arts that OPAS strives to make accessible to all.
It also included an exquisite dining experience and opportunities for guests to contribute to the future of performing arts education and scholarships through a silent auction, a live auction, and direct donations.
“The arts are vital to fostering creativity and growth in our community,” OPAS Artistic Director Doug LaBrecque said. “Soirée en Blanc & Noir is more than a fundraiser – it’s a celebration of our shared commitment to empowering young artists and ensuring the arts remain a cornerstone of education.”
Proceeds from the event will directly fund college performing arts scholarships, masterclasses, and outreach programs, giving thousands of local students unique opportunities to explore and develop their talents in music, theater, and dance.
OPAS extended heartfelt gratitude to its patrons, committee members, and volunteers. It also thanked season sponsors Donna Freeman and Mike Hene, Luxury Lake Oconee, Reynolds Lake Oconee, and Signature FD, as well as event sponsors Bank-South, Jan and Carlton Curtis, Bo Fears, Beverly and Richard Sparkmon, June and Michael Tompkins, and two anonymous but generous friends.
For more information about OPAS, its upcoming events, or how to support arts education initiatives, visit online at opas.org or call 706-467-6000.