Unleashing Creativity: The Economic Impact of Arts and Culture on Our Community Luncheon, Hosted by the Women In Business Council​

Join us for an inspiring and thought-provoking luncheon, "Unleashing Creativity: The Economic Impact of Arts and Culture on Our Community," where we delve into the profound influence of arts and culture on our local economy.

Discover how the vibrant and diverse tapestry of artistic expression contributes to the economic growth, social vitality, and overall well-being of our community. Through engaging discussions from a unique panel, we will explore the economic effects of embracing arts and culture as integral components of our business community.

At "Unleashing Creativity," esteemed experts from various sectors will share their insights and expertise, shedding light on the numerous ways in which arts and culture foster economic prosperity. Gain valuable knowledge about the financial impact of creative industries, including the employment opportunities they generate, revenue generation, and their significant contribution to tourism and local businesses.

Don't miss this unique opportunity to be part of the conversation and discover the economic impact of arts and culture on our community. Register now for "Unleashing Creativity" and help build a brighter future where creativity thrives and our community flourishes.

Women and men are both welcome!

Our Panelists:

Andrew Kato, Producing Artistic Director/Chief Executive

BIO
Andrew Kato is celebrating his seventeenth season at the Maltz Jupiter Theatre as the Producing Artistic Director/Chief Executive. During his tenure, he has produced over 70 productions and subscriptions have grown to over 8,000 patrons. Overall attendance has grown to nearly 100,000 guests annually, securing the Theatre to be one of the most successful regional theatres in the southeast.

Andrew was the Creative Consultant/Coordinating Producer on the Tony Awards® for 13 years. He was a Producing Associate on the Broadway productions of Jelly’s Last Jam, Angels in America and the off-Broadway production of Cryptogram. Andrew conceived and developed several musicals, including: Switch!, Academy, 1001 Nights, Street Songs, Diva Diaries, and Through the Looking Glass.

Andrew received the 2012 Council’s Choice Muse Award from the Cultural Council of Palm Beach County, the 2013 Silver Palm Award from the South Florida Theatre League for Outstanding Contribution, and the 2019 Richard G. Fallon Award for Excellence in Professional Theatre. Andrew has been honored as a Leader of Distinction by Florida Weekly and one of Palm Beach County’s 100 Most Influential Business Leaders by Palm Beach Illustrated three years in a row. He is a proud graduate of Florida State University and member of the Society of Directors and Choreographers (SDC).

Janeen Mason, Curator, Lighthouse ArtCenter Gallery & School of Art

BIO
Janeen Mason is a noted artist, curator, author, illustrator, speaker and arts advocate based on Florida's Treasure Coast, where she has curated over 100 exhibits since joining The Lighthouse ArtCenter in 2016; twelve for the State of Florida's official galleries in Tallahassee. Her exhibitions include world renowned artists such as Andy Warhol, Frank Lloyd Wright, Nick Cave, Kara Walker, Hunt Slonem, and Elsa Bostlemann, to name a few. She is passionate about engaging visitors by providing interactive experiences.
 
She says, "Art speaks its own language that connects us through our shared humanity across cultures, across time and across distance. At Lighthouse ArtCenter we celebrate the sense of wonder artists can inspire."
 
As an avid champion for the arts, Janeen has advised on matters regarding arts and culture while serving in appointed positions under three governors; as the Vice Chariman for Florida Council on Arts and Culture, as Chairman of Citizens for Florida Arts, and as a member of the Florida Department of State's Strategic Panning Task Force under the Division of Cultural Affairs.
 
Janeen's fine art has been featured in solo exhibits at galleries and museums throughout Florida and is held in permanent collections and private collections at home and abroad. She has written and/or illustrated seventeen children's books that have garnered ten industry awards and won the affection and favor of booksellers, libraries, schools and families nationwide. Her latest book, Counting the Days, was funded in part by a grant from the National Endowment for the Arts.

Joanne Berkow, Owner/Founder, Benzaiten Center for Creative Arts  

BIO

JB Berkow has been a working artist for over 50 years. Her artwork has been shown in galleries, museums and universities all over the country and is in the permanent collection of the Contemporary Art Collection at the Vatican in Italy, Boston University, and the West Palm Beach Airport. At age twenty-six she founded the most successful cooperative gallery in the country, Touchstone Gallery in Washington, D.C.. She founded Frenchman’s Art Gallery and Studios in Juno Beach, Florida in 1995, and in 2003 she opened Rosetta Stone Fine Art Gallery. She is an unusual artist in that she has spent most of her professional life, not only promoting her own work, but also promoting the work of other talented emerging and mid-career artists.  

Ms. Berkow’s ardent desire is to educate the public at large about the importance of art in our everyday lives and to show how a community can benefit by investing in the arts.  Thus, in 2015 she opened an 18,000sf, 501c3 nonprofit called Benzaiten Center for Creative Arts. It has the largest glassblowing hot shop in the State of Florida and offers classes not only in glassblowing, but also fusing, flame working, sand casting, glass casting, and welding. Each year the center provides free classes to 1,000 under served children and young adults. The center also provides much needed professional services at reasonable prices to the artists living in our community.  For the enjoyment of the entire community, Benzaiten brings in 5 renowned artists to hold live demos at the center.
 
Ms. Berkow is also a published author of three books, “Shades of Love,” “What They Didn’t Teach You In Art School” and “Painted Poetry.”