SPARK! hosted SPARKtacular, a fundraiser at the home of Carrie and Blake Rowling to raise funds to inspire creativity in students. Event co-chairs were Kristi and Ron Hoyl and Melissa Sherrill and Ross Martin. Honorary chairs were Beth and Chuck Thoele.
Local Dallasite singer songwriter Sarah Johnson sang and played guitar in the backyard while guests visited and enjoyed the delicious food from Roots Hospitality: Pimento Cheese Arancini, Crispy Mini Pork Tacos, Watermelon & Feta Salad, Ahi Tuna 'Poke Style', Grilled Shaved Beef Tenderloin Slider, Whipped Goat Cheese & Focaccia Toast and a Grazing Table.
Meg Bittner, SPARK! president and CEO, welcomed everyone and encouraged them to visit SPARK!, which was designed and built by artists to encourage creativity in children. “Creative learning is rare, and in Title 1 schools, students might receive one hour of art per month, if they’re lucky. We raise funds for Title 1 school scholarships, so that they can attend a field trip at SPARK! By the end of the year, we will welcome more than 20,000 people to our place. Creativity is not a must have; it’s vital to our youth.”
Melissa Sherrill, SPARKtacular co-chair, added, “Thank you to Carrie and Blake for hosting us. Thank you to Beth for all you do. I love SPARK!, especially taking my littles there. Every child should have an opportunity to come experience SPARK!, whether it’s open play, a field trip or a birthday party.”
Kristi Hoyl SPARKtacular co-chair, said, “SPARK! doesn’t happen without philanthropy, and we thank you for supporting us. Please continue to bid on the silent auction items to raise even more funds. The next artist could be one of these students whose future is transformed through your support.”
Auction items included a Two Night Stay the Joule Dallas, "Practice in Release", Abstract Painting by MCat Davis, Bottega Veneta Cassette Crossbody donated by Neiman Marcus, Two Suite Tickets to the Thanksgiving Day Game (Cowboys vs. Philadelphia) with Cowboys Legend Timmy Newsome, Chroma Canvas & Custom Abstract Painting by Alyssa Burge, Five Night Stay in a Private Villa in Punta Mita, Mexico, Passed Appetizers & Four-Course Menu curated by Roots Hospitality paired with up to six bottles of wine from Sonoma Time, and 35 Guest Birthday Party at SPARK! Dallas.
To date, SPARK! has hosted 105 schools and organizations serving nearly 7,000 students on field trips during the 2025-2026 school year, with more than 51% of students from Title 1 schools. Nearly 40% of the open play admissions are from Museums for All attendees (reduced admission for families that receive government benefits such as SNAP, WIC and Medicaid).
Special thanks to sponsors:
Imaginator: KPMG, Beth & Chuck Thoele
Explorer: The Addy Foundation, Kristi & Ron Hoyl, Melissa Sherrill & Ross Martin, VanAmburgh Family Foundation
Valet: Sewell Automotive Companies
For additional sponsors and host committee, visit https://sparkdallas.org/sparktacular/
For more information on SPARK!, visit https://sparkdallas.org/.
(photo credit: Nancy Lovell)