EVENTS
socially speaking
Faces of Pace STORY AND PHOTOS BY LESLIE WENGLER
O
n March 26, PACE Center for Girls, which provides services such as counseling, education, and other programs for at-risk teens, held the “Faces of Pace” event at NOMA Gallery. Artist Mel Fiorentino-Degener taught a Piccaso portrait-style class via zoom to the young women who cultivated their artistic skills. Members and leaders of the community gathered a few weeks later to view these beautiful portraits and held a fund raiser for the organization. Any patron who generously donated $250 or more was able to bring home one of these pieces of work. I was able to watch several thrilled couples select their painting and take it home that evening. Fiorentino-Degener said, “It was an honor to be a part of the girls’ personal growth through this project with PACE. One thing that I love about this project is that as the girls’ talents evolve, their self-image improves and you can see the confidence just from the pieces that they created. I am excited to continue teaching these classes and see where their future lies.” We are so fortunate to have programs such as PACE in Ocala that provide services to enrich women’s lives.
Carole Savage, Executive Director of Pace, with Husband Jim Hagangs; Amy and Allen Musikantow
Mel Fiorentino and Lisa Midgett
Pace portraits
Pamela Calero Wardell and Jessi White
Craig and Mary Baggs
Jessica Mcclain and Rep. Stan MCClain
Leslie Wengler OM Social Eidtor
Giselle and Eric
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| MAY 2021 | OCALAMAGAZINE.COM
Clint and Angie Lewis, Megan Whitaker
