A new tradition kicks off Saturday, April 29 when the Eiteljorg Museum of American Indians and Western Art hosts an unforgettable, unique charitable event, Cowpokes & Cocktails. This will be the first event at the newly renovated Lucas Estate Party Barn in Carmel. The evening promises to be a night of high-quality, Western-themed fun with proceeds benefitting the Eiteljorg’s education and programs departments.
Hunter Smith, the former Indianapolis Colts Super Bowl champion punter, will serve ... view more »
A new tradition kicks off Saturday, April 29 when the Eiteljorg Museum of American Indians and Western Art hosts an unforgettable, unique charitable event, Cowpokes & Cocktails. This will be the first event at the newly renovated Lucas Estate Party Barn in Carmel. The evening promises to be a night of high-quality, Western-themed fun with proceeds benefitting the Eiteljorg’s education and programs departments.
Hunter Smith, the former Indianapolis Colts Super Bowl champion punter, will serve as emcee. Smith’s country-rock group, the Hunter Smith Band, will provide onstage entertainment.
Expanding upon the Eiteljorg’s previous Buckaroo Bash charitable event, Cowpokes & Cocktails will be a high-end fundraiser that includes exquisite food, a cocktail contest, dancing, entertainment and a silent and live auction that includes a getaway to the Brush Creek Ranch in Wyoming, an Indianapolis Motor Speedway “Month of May” package and an Indiana State Fair “Cowboy for a Day” experience.
“We are extremely excited about Cowpokes & Cocktails and greatly looking forward to this re-imagined benefit,” said Nataly Lowder, vice president for advancement at the Eiteljorg Museum. “April 29 will be an exciting night with a strong purpose: ensuring all children have the opportunity to learn at the Eiteljorg Museum. Proceeds of this night will give children the chance to experience educational programming at the Eiteljorg Museum.
“And even though it’s a Western-themed event, a cowboy hat or boots are not required attire. This is an evening that will be enjoyed by all.”
Cowpokes & Cocktails will sustain the museum’s educational efforts to bring arts-related programming to visitors. Proceeds will allow the museum to provide art supplies for school groups and art-studio days and schedule artists for special weekend events such as Juneteenth, WestFest and Day of the Dead. Proceeds also support the museum’s Artists in Residence, who interact with students in classrooms, as well as obtaining educational materials for the Resource Center in the museum’s R.B. Annis Western Family Experience.
“All children should experience art regardless of socio-economic status. Participation in Cowpokes & Cocktails allows that to happen at the Eiteljorg Museum,” Lowder said.
The Lucas Estate Party Barn is a popular local landmark located near 116th Street and Ditch Road where the late Nancy Irsay previously hosted many charitable events. Now owned by the Lucas family of Lucas Oil fame, the party barn is part of the nearby Lucas Estate, a popular wedding venue.
Tickets to Cowpokes & Cocktails are $200 per person or $1,800 per table of 10. Registration is required. For tickets and more information, contact Hannah Wishart at (317) 275-1316 or hwishart@eiteljorg.com. For sponsorship opportunities, contact Nataly Lowder, vice president for advancement, at (317) 275-1311 or nlowder@eiteljorg.com.
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