Eight young men and women are preparing to participate April 27 as maids and senior gentlemen in the Jacksonville Arts Association’s 2024 Fine Arts Ball, Summer in Santorini.

The 67th annual ball is the association’s largest fundraiser of the year, and proceeds help support the maintenance and activities of the association’s David Strawn Art Gallery at 331 W. College Ave.

The event is a variation on the traditional debutante ball in which young men and women are formally presented to society.

This year’s senior maidens and knights include:

• Brock Robert Bordenkircher, son of Brent and Tiffany Bordenkircher of Springfield. His grandparents are Sandy Bordenkircher of Jacksonville, Kathy Tibbs of Williamsville and the late John Bordenkircher and Bob Tibbs. He attends Sacred Heart-Griffin High School.

• Elsa Marie Cole, daughter of Beaux and Carrie Cole of Jacksonville. Her grandparents are Gerald and Charlotte Denight and Dan and Dee Cole, all of Jacksonville, and Tim and Kathy Yocum of Toledo. She attends Routt Catholic High School.

• Walter Henry Copper, son of Steve and Bre Linstromberg Copper of Jacksonville. His grandparents are Tom Linstromberg and Rennelle Walker, both of Jacksonville, and the late HE and Eleanor Copper. He attends Routt Catholic High School.

• Robert Hayden Hicks, son of Matt and Jennifer Hicks of Jacksonville. His grandparents are Bob and Carol Hicks and David and Susan Bergschneider, all of Jacksonville. He attends Jacksonville High School.

• Allison Ann Kafer, daughter of Mike and Jennifer Kafer of Jacksonville. Her grandparents are Robert and JoAnn Chumley and Glenn Kafer, all of Jacksonville, and the late Kay Kafer. She attends Routt Catholic High School.

• Alex Michael McGuire, son of Ryan and Megan McGuire of Jacksonville. His grandparents are Pat Langdon and John Michael McGuire, both of Jacksonville, Cheri McGuire of Chapin and the late John Langdon. He attends Routt Catholic High School.

• Claire Ilene McGuire, daughter of Ryan and Megan McGuire of Jacksonville. Her grandparents are Pat Langdon and John Michael McGuire, both of Jacksonville, Cheri McGuire of Chapin and the late John Langdon. She attends Routt Catholic High School.

• Ellanore Marjorie Veith, daughter of Thomas and Aimee Veith of Jacksonville. Her grandparents are Charles and Dorothy Sanson of Girard and the late Richard and Nancy Veith. She attends Jacksonville High School and the Illinois School for the Deaf.

A champagne reception from 5 to 6:30 p.m. on April 27 in the Strawn Gallery will precede the coronation at Illinois College’s Rammelkamp Chapel. All those attending the ball are invited to attend the reception before the coronation at 7:00 p.m. Entertainment by Groove Trio and hors d’oeuvres at the Jacksonville Country Club will immediately follow the coronation.

Patron and general tickets will be available online in advance at Strawnartgallery.org and in the chapel before the dance. Tickets for patrons are $50 and include admission to the reception, coronation and dance. General tickets are $10 and include the coronation and champagne reception. An American Sign Language interpreter will be available upon request for the coronation. Handicapped seating will also be available.

For more information, call the gallery office at 217-243-9390 or visit Strawnartgallery.org.