Community College art fundraiser to benefit student 'scholars'
Faculty, students and alums at the Community College of Philadelphia donate art for fundraiser to benefit scholars program.
Faculty, alumni and students at the Community College of Philadelphia are putting their talents to use for the good of the college's neediest students.
Their artwork will be sold at a fundraiser on Oct. 2, with the majority of proceeds to support the college's 50th Anniversary Scholars Program. The college in April launched the scholars program, which allows seniors who graduated from a city high school last June, who have low-enough family incomes to qualify for federal Pell grants and who meet certain other requirements to get their associate's degree at no cost for tuition and fees.
About 200 students are currently enrolled in the anniversary scholars program.
"We can find many examples throughout history where artists, through their ability to see things - not for what they are but for what they want them to be - have made a difference in the world," Donald "Guy" Generals, president, said in a statement. "Not only are Philadelphia artists sharing their artwork with us, they also are demonstrating how strongly they believe in the promise of Philadelphia's high school graduates."
Called "An Evening of Art & Soul," the black tie optional gala will feature about 135 paintings, sculptures, ceramics and photographs. The exhibition and sale is being curated by faculty members Jeff Reed, Karen Aumann and Jake Beckman and will include donated work from nearly 80 artists, ranging in price from $10 to $12,000.
Among those whose work will be featured is Diane Burko, a landscape artist and photographer and former art department faculty member. Alumni donating art work include: Photographer Rita Gaudet deVecchis, owner of deVecchis Gallery on South Street; painter Paula Molnar; graphic artist Manny Hernandez and mixed media artist Danny Narvaez.
The event begins at 6 p.m. at the Pavilion Building on 17th Street, south of Spring Garden Street. Tickets are $125 for individuals or 10 tickets for $1,000. Students can get tickets at a discount, $50.
For more information, see www.ccp.edu/art-and-soul