Summer is a time of discovery and adventure for kids, and nowhere is that more apparent than at COCA. The creative arts center is dedicated to sharing the power and breadth of creative expression with the St. Louis community. Its summer camp programming offers a wide array of activities, ranging from fashion and animation to cooking and dance. “This year, we’re offering a second location for camp at the University of Health Sciences and Pharmacy in the Central West End,” president and CEO Indigo Sams says. “We want to ensure kids in the county and city have access to quality arts education during the summer.”

Programming like COCA’s summer camps are made possible in part thanks to COCAcabana, the center’s largest annual fundraiser. The event plays a critical role in funding, representing about 20% of the nonprofit’s annual contributed revenue and supporting outreach initiatives, including scholarships. “COCAcabana helps us to provide more arts programming to the community, including for students and families who may not otherwise have access,” Sams explains. “One thing I love about COCAcabana is that we strive to make it accessible as well. There are a variety of ticket options, ranging from VIP to the late-night party. We want to make it possible for all people to come together to support and celebrate the arts.”

This year’s COCAcabana is April 25 and is presented by Stifel with leading sponsorships from more than 45 other local companies, including Annheuser-Busch, Schnucks, U.S. Bank Corp., Edward Jones and Tegethoff Development. The evening’s theme is Into the Depths, reflecting how exploring the arts is like diving into the ocean. “The deeper you go, the more you discover,” Sams notes. “Our students experiment with the arts, tapping into creative expressions that come from deep within. For each child, family and adult at COCA, it’s a deep dive into different experiences and possibilities.”

The undersea theme will be brought to life within the walls of COCA through decorations created by Cepia and special festivities, including student performances, a themed dinner from Butler’s Pantry and unique ways to support the nonprofit. The evening’s live auction, sponsored by Bayer, will offer an exciting way to give back by bidding on one-of-a-kind items. “Guests can look forward to fabulous opportunities like tickets to Beyonce in New York, a vacation at Villa Luna in Camelback Mountain Resort, and tickets to the Grammys,” says Virginia Howell, senior director of advancement. “We’re also holding a raffle with luxury purses and a diamond and sapphire bracelet. There are ways for everyone to support COCA—we like to think of the event is as much a friendraiser as a fundraiser.”

The importance of COCA’s mission is evident in this year’s COCAcabana alumni chair, Erin Moore. She started coming to the center when she was around 10 years old, receiving support from many instructors as she grew her creative talent. Moore began her professional career as a concert dancer, and today, she is a veteran of stage and screen, having performed on Broadway, with The Metropolitan Opera and for productions on Netflix, HBO and more. “Erin is a St. Louisan through and through, and we’re looking forward to welcoming her home to COCA’s stage,” Sams says. “Every dollar raised by COCAcabana supports a young person like her in their journey to fulfill their artistic dreams.”

COCA’s mission is to enrich lives and build community through the arts. Its COCAcabana 2025: Into the Depths fundraiser is April 25. Pictured on the cover: Amanda and Dan Brill, Gina and Raullo Eanes, Indigo Sams, Ron Kruszewski, Michael Thompson, Arianna and Alex Muckerman. For tickets and more information, visit cocastl.org/cocacabana or email Virginia Howell at vhowell@cocastl.org or Kyra Pearson at kpearson@cocastl.org.

Cover courtesy of Cannonball
Cover styling by Ciara Hargis, Neiman Marcus and Dry Bar – St. Louis

Pictured at top: COCAcabana alumni chair Erin Moore
Photo courtesy of COCA