Celebrate the Creative: COCA

Imagine a bazaar—the bustle and Color, the sounds, the course and clatter of life. That’s how the Center for Creative Arts (COCA) thinks of itself—a unique fusion and expression of cultures, beliefs and ideals. “Like markets and bazaars around the world, COCA is a place where people of different backgrounds can come together to exchange ideas and collaborate to create something truly new,” says executive director Kelly Pollock.

Reflecting this idea is COCAcabana: A Grand Bazaar, an annual fundraiser that takes place at the center April 29 and promises to be a spicy mix of food and drink, special guests and live performances. Pollock says it’s a critical event because it is the nonprofit’s single annual fundraiser, representing 20 percent of contributed revenue for the year. She expects more than 600 guests and says she hopes to reach the goal of $850,000. “With the Grand Bazaar, we hope to showcase what COCA is all about,” says Pollock. “We want people to see what happens here every day.”

COCA is the fourth largest community arts center in the country and is recognized nationally for its innovative arts programs, which encourage people to see, think and express themselves through dance, vocal music, theater, art and design. It is the largest multidisciplinary institution of its kind in St. Louis, serving more than 50,000 people of all ages, ability levels and backgrounds annually. “We nurture the artistic and creative potential in our students and our community,” Pollock says. “We serve a broad cross-section of our city, helping students form relationships they might not have had otherwise.” The money A Grand Bazaar raises, Pollock adds, will help provide almost $1 million in free education programs and scholarships to more than 4,000 lower income students locally. In addition, she says donor programs such as the COCA Annual Fund, the Richard Baron Leadership Circle, and the generosity of corporations and foundations help the organization achieve its mission. “We are so grateful for the support we receive,” she says. Anheuser-Busch is the presenting sponsor for the sixth year in a row.

COCA board member and president of Rent-A-Relative Lynne Parriott and her husband Brooks are event co-chairs. Parriott has been on the board for the past nine years and says she is excited about the fundraiser because of all the new people it will bring to COCA. “Over the past years, my husband and I have experienced the amazing and successful COCA mission,” Parriott says. “We are thrilled to be co-chairing this event. It’s the best party in St. Louis.”

Director of marketing and communications Beth McClure says, “We have some fun tricks up our sleeves [for the Grand Bazaar],” adding that COCA will be transformed with beautiful fabrics and ornaments, music and “wonderful performances” by high school students. She says the feel of an international market will be everywhere—from the singing and dancing to the international foods. “Having the party on-site makes it very special,” McClure says. “The place will come to life.”

COCAcabana: A Grand Bazaar takes place April 29 at COCA. For more information, call Virginia Howell at 314.561.4870 or log onto cocastl.org. Pictured on the cover: (front) Melissa Merlin, Kelly Pollock, Lynne Parriott; (back) Rob Merlin, Steven and Barbara Archer, Antonio and Vanessa Cooksey, Brooks Parriott. Cover photo by Peter Wochniak at Union Station, courtesy of Lodging Hospitality Management. Hair and makeup by Breeze Blow Dry Bar.

Cover courtesy of COCA
Pictured above: COCADance performs Love Stories
Photo: Peter Wochniak