The Greenhills Visiting Artist Endowment was created in 1999 by Dave and Lois Baru. Their intent: elevate the School’s profile by strengthening its Fine & Performing Arts programs with special arts education opportunities such as professional artists’ performances, special events that would showcase student interaction with visiting artists, and workshops and programs for larger groups in the community.
The fund’s value more than doubled when the Class of 2004 took a leadership role and adopted the fund as their senior class gift, at the same time dedicating it to the honor of Lorne Forstner in recognition of his 26 years of service to Greenhills School.
Special guests funded through the Visiting Artist initiative include appearances by the Scottish Highland pipeband, Ann Arbor Pipes & Drums; acoustic guitarist, singer and songwriter, Brooks Williams; early music specialist, James Lidgett; Lily King, author of The Pleasing Hour; and artist Leslie Soebel, who led our students in the creation of a special exhibit, Explorations in Self Portraits.
Actor, dancer, musician, photographer, painter, or ceramist; the Visiting Artist Fund can celebrate the talents of all, bringing the professional world directly into the classrooms, on our stage or into an exhibit in the theater gallery.
