The Art of Elysium, a non-profit organization with a focus on healing and inspiring through art,has announced that they will honor Academy Award® nominated filmmaker Lee Daniels with the Visionary Award at the annual 2025 HEAVEN Gala.
In addition to honoring Daniels with the 2025 Visionary Award, at next year’s gala, The Art of Elysium will also honor Aly & AJ Michalka with The Spirit of Elysium Award for their ongoing work with the organization and always going above and beyond to support the charity. Each year, the award, initially created for actress Eva Mendes, is presented to individuals who volunteer with The Art of Elysium’s programs and use their voice to help further the organization’s mission.
Aly & AJ said:
We are so honored to be given this award and to witness firsthand what The Art of Elysium has done for so many people in our community.
One of our favorite memories has been working with the kids at Widney School to put on their Christmas play every year. Being there to encourage and cheer them on throughout their rehearsals has brought us so much joy. We have also loved our visits to play music for the children at Totally Kids as well as being able to perform as storytellers in the classroom at Irving Middle School. These kids are truly remarkable. It never fails to put a smile on our faces when we get the calendar update on our phones reminding us that our volunteer work is coming up. Jennifer (The Art of Elysium Founder) & Leslie (The Art of Elysium Vice President of Programs) feel like family to us, and we are so thankful for this wonderful group of people donating their time and money towards this organization. The daily grind can sometimes leave us feeling overwhelmed, sad, and searching for purpose, but we’ve found a true light in the work of The Art of Elysium and its noble impact on everyone involved.
The event will raise funds for arts programs that serve individuals in the midst of emotional life challenges like illness, hospitalization, displacement, confinement, and crisis.