Beck Center for the Arts is excited to announce that State Senator Nickie J. Antonio will be honored at our 2026 Spotlight Gala on Friday, October 9, 2026!
The Spotlight Gala is an annual celebration of the people, artists, supporters, and community members who help make Beck Center for the Arts a place where creativity, connection, and the arts can thrive. This special evening brings our community together to celebrate the impact of the arts while raising essential support for Beck Center's education programs and mission.
This year, we are proud to shine the spotlight on Ohio State Senator Nickie J. Antonio, a longtime advocate for the Lakewood community and a dedicated public servant. Antonio represents Ohio's 23rd Senate District and currently serves as Minority Leader in the Ohio Senate. Throughout her career in public service, she has championed issues including workers' rights, education, equal rights, health care, and efforts to address the opioid crisis.
A proud Lakewood resident, Antonio has a long history of serving her community. Before joining the Ohio Senate, she served eight years in the Ohio House of Representatives and previously served as a Lakewood City Councilmember. Her career has also included work as an educator, adjunct professor, and executive director of an outpatient drug and alcohol treatment program for women.
Senator Antonio has made history throughout her career, becoming the first LGBTQ+ person elected to the Ohio House of Representatives and later the first LGBTQ+ person elected to the Ohio Senate. She was also the first woman elected to represent Senate District 23 and has continued to break barriers through her leadership in the Ohio General Assembly.
We look forward to celebrating Senator Antonio's leadership and contributions to our community at this year's Spotlight Gala—and we can't wait to celebrate with you!
Join us for an unforgettable evening! Enjoy a wonderful meal, connect with fellow Beck Center supporters, and take part in exciting auction and raffle opportunities, all while supporting the arts and the work we do in our community.
Save the date: Friday, October 9, 2026
2026 Spotlight Gala Honoree: Ohio State Senator Nickie J. Antonio
Tickets: https://onecau.se/_f39dv1
Stay tuned in the coming weeks as we share more about Senator Antonio, her connection to Beck Center, what's on the menu, and some of the exciting auction and raffle items you can look forward to!
We hope you'll join us in shining the spotlight on Ohio State Senator Nickie J. Antonio!
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