…. our generous, energetic volunteer Benefit Committee Chairs.
Along with the generosity of the participating artists, a successful Five x Seven fundraiser requires the commitment and hard work of community volunteers. Each year, a Committee Chair (or Chairs) assembles a working committee to get the word out, secure sponsorships and sell tickets. This year we have three amazing entrepreneurs, Oliver Everette, Sharon Gerhardt and Alisa Weldon, who are generating excitement about Five x Seven’s 10th Anniversary Celebration. I thought I’d share a little bit about them here.
L to R: Alisa Weldon, Sharon Gerhardt, Oliver Everette
Alisa Weldon Alisa is founder and Publisher of L Style G Style Magazine and owner of well+done DESIGN. She most recently served four years as the Board President of the Austin Gay & Lesbian International Film Festival – largest of its kind in the southwest. Her non-profit sponsorship both professionally and personally has impacted many unique groups. Alisa was part of the originating team that opened Central Market in 1994 and after five years, left to head up the work of Dell’s Direct Mail at T3 as Art Director. She then spent six years as Creative Director at VoxGroup until realizing her passion to profile gay and lesbian people who impact our city in a positive way through the creation of L Style G Style.
Sharon Gerhardt
As the Southwest Regional Concierge Coordinator for Whole Foods Market, Sharon reaches many different individuals and groups the city she was born and raised. A multi-year participant of the Arthouse 5×7 Fundraiser, Sharon proudly accepted the co-chair position. Sharon’s non-profit involvement is far reaching and includes such organizations as Sustainable Food Center, aGLIFF, Aides Services of Austin and Equality Texas. Sharon’s commitment to connect the city through the arts is near and dear to her heart.
Oliver Everette
A recent transplant from Boston, MA, Oliver entered Austin with purpose and intention. With a drive to bring awareness to many nonprofits, there is no one more passionate about making those connections come to fruition more than he. In a short year and half, Oliver has helped raise more than $100k for a collection of non-profits such as Aids Services of Austin, Octopus Club, Equality Texas and Zach Scott’s Red Hot and Soul. Oliver is a significant supporter to the arts at large – maintaining membership with every major arts organization in Austin. After many attempts from numerous non-profit Board of Directors, Oliver discovered his purpose and began growing relationships as New Business Development Partner for L Style G Style in September 2008.
And I thought I’d send a note of thanks to the Five x Seven Committee Chairs of the past 10 years who have made Five x Seven an annually anticipated event. Some of them even took on the task more than once! They are: David Cleaves, Kelley Cooper, Chris Dial, Ron Gerling, Deborah Green, Johnna Jones, Liz Maples, Marsha Milam, Clayton Morgan, Mary Ozburn, Amy Rudy, Christine Stewart, Jane Schweppe, Lindsay Smith and Ali Watson.
