The Creative Spirit Gala 2005, held on Thursday, September 29 at The Puck Building, celebrated The Creative Center's inspired arts programming to people living with cancer. The gala, which honored Novartis Oncology, the Education Department at the Whitney Museum of American Art, and Creative Center participant Suzanne Smith, raised more than $100,000 for Creative Center programming.

Congratulations to all who helped make the 2005 Creative Spirit Gala such a huge success! Special thanks to Judie Swanson, who organized the Silent Auction, for all her hard work, and to Richard Carlson, Creative Center Board Member and principal at Swanke Hayden Connell Architects for his generous donation of the beautiful Skylight Room at the Puck Building. Once again, a gorgeous evening filled with lots of old - and new - friends!

"I was diagnosed with breast cancer at 26 years old and have been a survivor for more than two years. My first collage, which I made at The Creative Center, is of Ned's Point lighthouse in Mattapoiset, MA. I am very grateful to The Creative Center for having such wonderful classes and for helping me discover a talent and passion I never knew I had at such a difficult time in my life." -Suzanne Smith, Artist