About SCA's Creative Fellow Program
The SCA is proud to welcome non-traditional artists to the campus for a year-long experience in our Creative Fellow program. This program provides unique opportunities for the Fellow to collaborate with visual artists and performers, lead events for children and adults, and amplify SCA programming in unexpected ways. In 2023, the SCA partners with Saugatuck/Douglas resident, professional chef, and level 3 Sommelier Mindy Trafman.
About the Fellowship
Mindy will expose SCA audiences to new and astonishing culinary experiences throughout the year. From intimate dinners in the gallery to unique snacks to munch on during films – exploratory moments in edible excellence will be found in the most unpredictable places.
In addition to adding to the experience of events at the SCA in 2023, Mindy will also be working with our education department to bring the culinary arts to aspiring chefs through camps and classes for all ages.
About Mindy Trafman
Born and raised in Chicago, Mindy Trafman studied elementary education with an emphasis on art education at Northern Illinois University. While attending school and teaching, Mindy was bit by the restaurant bug. Working a decade with Rich Melman’s Lettuce Entertain You Enterprises, she opened several restaurants from Chicago to LA, worked another decade with Debra Sharp’s rock & roll catering and restaurant group, she developed a love for hospitality. It was at Cru Wine Bar where her passion for wine and food began to grow. She explored wine further by teaching classes at Chicago’s Loyola University while running the Lush Wine and Spirits shops, which led her to become a sommelier.
In 2014, Mindy moved to Saugatuck to help a good friend open The Kirby, an intimate hotel and restaurant in Douglas, Michigan. She had spent a lot of time in the kitchen and fell in love with the abundance of Michigan farmland giving the most beautiful produce in the country and challenged herself to find interesting preparations for these gems. She went on to open Coast 236 in Saugatuck and recently started Somm + Seeds, a catering and consulting company where she caters all types of events from in-home food + wine classes to small tasting menu dinners to large-scale weddings. You may spot her around town hosting an event or class at some of the local restaurants, wineries, or event venues.
Related Programming
Get hands-on with Mindy at programming all year long. Join intimate dinner parties with Mindy and professional artists in the gallery, take a class and learn more about preparing the perfect dinner, or simply enjoy the fruits of Mindy’s labor at one of our concerts or events.
Check back soon for new events
Thank you to our Sponsors
Garnet Lewis + Vicky Cobb
Vickie + Dan Bischoff
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