Stars, kids turn out for P.S. Arts’ ‘Express Yourself’ fundraiser

The event: P.S. Arts’ “Express Yourself,” a creative extravaganza for children and teens, featured 30 arts and crafts booths where youngsters could spray-paint figurines, string beads, decorate goody bags, get runway-ready for the “E! Fashion Police” and partake in many other imaginative pursuits. Sweet treats were abundant, along with other edibles such as gourmet Kobe beef hot dogs.

A family affair: A galaxy of stars treated their children to the event at the Barker Hangar in Santa Monica on Sunday. Guests included Julie Bowen, Jessica Capshaw, Heidi Klum, Jason Bateman, Kevin Nealon, Lisa Kudrow, Dan Bucatinsky, Don Roos, Aaron Sorkin, Amanda Righetti, Joel McHale, Molly Shannon, George Kotsiopoulos, Adam Scott, Glenn Howerton, Mark Feuerstein and many others. Event chairs were Hadley Davis Rierson and Lee Rierson, Amanda and Andy Schuon, Christine and Jeff Weller, and Sutton Stracke.

The scene: After Bowen and her three boys, Gus and John, 4, and Oliver, 6, enjoyed a couple of Krispy Kreme doughnuts, the “Modern Family” star positioned herself at the banner-making table to help her twins create a “Happy Birthday Scott” sign for their dad.

With her year-old toddler, Poppy, in her arms, Capshaw of “Grey’s Anatomy” lauded the charity, which she said brings arts education to 15,000 youngsters each week.

As Jonah, 6, and Eliza, 8½, the children of Bucatinsky and Roos, decorated dishes, Bucatinsky said he viewed the event as a teaching opportunity. Although art supplies were available in abundance on Sunday, he said it’s important for the children to know that all they’re given is not “a given” for everyone else.

Quote of note: “The arts aren’t just a fun pastime,” said Kudrow. “The arts are real brain work. Too many people think they can shove arts education aside in favor of math and science, but you have to keep all of it going to encourage creativity. That’s how you get innovation, advances and products you’ve never seen before.”

The numbers: Organizers counted more than 1,200 in attendance, raising $500,000 from sponsorships, family packages and individual tickets sales at $175 each. Funds go toward bringing education in dance, visual arts, music and theater arts to children in underserved schools in Southern and Central California.

Read more about Los Angeles social events at Society News LA.

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