The Art of Butler

Redler Institute of Culinary and the Fine Arts departments of Butler Community College hosted their supporters with a delicious multidimensional art sampling on Tuesday, Oct. 21.   

“The Art of Butler is designed to showcase the talents of our Culinary & Fine Arts students to our patrons”, according to Jennifer Green-Miracle, director, Community Advancement and Corporate Relations for the Butler Foundation.  

The event did just that as styles of art ranging from culinary, ceramic, digital, two dimensional and more had a special place for patrons to sample those talents a few bites at a time. 

Approaching the entrance, throughout the evening visitors enjoyed quartets singing, a classic Kansas sunset and Larry Walker, ice-sculptor and chef, chipping away the swordfish design, which was selected by the school’s culinary art students. 

Those male and female arranged quartets, ‘The Smorgasbords’ and ‘The Keynotes’, sang  

‘Coney Island Baby’ (and other great tunes) as the new Grizzly Grub food truck served Jersey style mini-Coney dogs, topped with warm chili sauce and fresh grated cheese. These teams both showed that they came prepared, were having fun and delivered their parts repeatedly with enthusiasm. 

Cappuccino mixers, a raffle and conference room filled with visual art samples from various BCC campuses awaited visitors just inside the door. The raffle featured ceramics contributed by art professors Trisha Coats and Tyler Stonestreet, as well as students.  

“It’s a rare treat to see so many mediums of art displayed in one space”, a visitor said in amazement. 

“Many of these individuals helped to build the Redler Institution of Culinary Arts or have been instrumental in helping elevate the program and promoting it throughout the area,” Green-Miracle wrote about the patrons in attendance. 

Culinary and Fine Arts Scholarship recipients, Thien D., Tagin G., Cristina S. and Jaden B. all wrote meaningful reflections about what they are being empowered to do in life because of Butler and their supporters. 

Two serving areas both held an array of scrumptious things to taste. Brisket sandwiches, two styles of chowder, shrimp, and what sounded like the crowd favorite, Chinese style pork dumplings fried up in a flame-filled show. These delectable dumplings were hand-made with traditional Chinese spices and tender pork and topped with their signature in-house chili oil for a bold flavorful finish as advertised! 

While enjoying these delicious samplings and rich conversation, the sound of music from the brass, drums, guitar and piano flowed in from the back patio as BCC Jazz ensemble’s rhythms played a smooth groove. 

For students to showcase all of the many art forms that they are learning, while sponsors witness the beauty that their support is creating in the world uplifts the whole community. 

“That’s what it’s all about,” said Les Padzensky, director of the Redler Institute of Culinary Arts, as BCC’s culinary artists were singing, dancing and laughing together joyfully during the arduous after party clean-up. 

Demonstrating that the community support is going to more than just paying bills, it’s creating a culture where work and life are a fulfilling inspiring experience for all who choose to be a part of it, reminding us again that “Butler is more than just a place.”