Student Artwork Showcased at Winkie's

Every year, the attendees of the Bay Ball bid on pieces of student artwork to benefit the Whitefish Bay School District.

Although the Bay Ball is still more than a week away, the community has a chance to get a sneak peak at the items up for auction by strolling down Silver Spring Drive. On Thursday, five pieces of student artwork were put on display in the front window of Winkies at 629 E. Silver Spring.

The La Vita Bay Ball Bash will be held from 6:30 p.m. to midnight on Saturday, April 20. This year, the Bay Ball has a "A Night in Little Italy" theme, featuring highlights of Italy's art, music, ambience, and cuisine.

The Bay Ball Bash will be held at the spacious Whitefish Bay High School Fieldhouse, which will be transformed into the beautiful "Palazzo Della" with park benches, topiaries, and streets lamps plus a life-like gondola reflecting the magical island city of Venice—perfect for picture taking. 

During cocktail hour, Stas Venglevski will stroll the marketplace playing Italian favorites on his accordion while guests bid on student artwork and other items, including parking and reserved seating for high school graduation, a limited-edition life-sized Donald Driver poster, a UW-Badger football package, and the chance to fire the starting gun for the Run the Bay Race on May 18.

Guests will mangia e bevi (eat and drink) the very best throughout the evening thanks to the gifts of two outstanding chefs and Beer Capitol.

Darren Wisnewski, Executive Chef at Glorioso’s, will prepare fabulous Italian hors d’oeuvres—pizza di ustica, an Italian quiche, and their signature meat ravioli. Glorioso’s is also hosting Mario Rizzotti, renowned Italian culinary specialist and Iron Chef American judge, who will conduct a sampling of rich Italian olive oils. Wine sampling will be featured and an assortment of beer will be available. 

The family style dinner to follow will be catered by Shully’s Cuisine & Events. Beloved Italian desserts include gelato from La Coppa, and cannoli and tiramisu by Peter Sciortino’s Bakery. After dinner there will be dancing to the sounds of Hidden Agenda. 

As always, the community’s children are the focus of the La Vita Bay Ball Bash. The proceeds will go to the Whitefish Bay Public Education Foundation which has importantly aligned with the direction of the school district. This year a portion of the proceeds will underwrite a professional floor covering for the basketball court area, making it possible to use the entire Fieldhouse for the event as well as for high school graduation, sports clinics, and other major events. Remaining proceeds will enhance the districts Personalized Learning in the 21st Century Learning Initiative. Whitefish Bay principals and administrative staff can see great possibilities for this initiative that could include support for software applications, internet resources, devices or training. Every student, every school, every opportunity! 

Tickets for La Vita Bay Ball Bash are just $95 per person or $760 for a table of eight. Major support is welcomed at the following levels: the Chef’s Table with Scott Shully preparing a meal tableside at $7,500; the Florence Table at $5,000; and the Venice Table at $2,500. Order Tickets online at the education foundation website. Contact Lori Kampschroer at 414-688-6244 with any questions.