Parkland Art Gallery Presents

Have you noticed the displays in the D and C wings lately? Behind these displays are dozens of handcrafted cups. Do you like to start your day off with a tasty beverage? Well, your opportunity to own one of these unique artworks and drink in style is next Thursday during the second annual Cup Benefit for the Parkland Art Gallery.The Art Gallery will be hosting Cup-a-palooza, which will help benefit the Art Gallery. Cups donated by Parkland faculty and students will be sold; coffee, tea and dessert from Great Harvest Bread Company will be had and music by Kristina Engberg will be heard. The event will take place in the gallery lounge on March 11th from 4-7PM with the gallery talk beginning around 5:30. Tickets will be sold for $25, and included in the ticket price is a cup, refreshments and entertainment, all for a good cause.

"The cups are beautiful, (the benefit) is for a really good cause, and we're lucky to have such a great, wonderful gallery," said Parkland student Anora Johnson, who works in the Parkland Art Gallery.

She also pointed out that attending is a win-win scenario. "You not only can enjoy great dessert and a lovely cup, but are helping to bring art to the community," said Johnson, who will be volunteering at the event.

"The first (benefit) went really well," said Chris Berti, a faculty artist, who will also be giving a gallery talk during the event, along with Laura O'Donnel. "It is a chance to own something that you can use that's made with good design, skill, and love," said Berti.

Cups will be chosen on a first come, first serve basis and all of the cups are donated creations by Parkland faculty and students. Come early for the best choice to find your favorite to take home and enjoy.

Josh Fairbanks, Assistant Director for the Parkland Art Gallery, is organizing the event. He is a sculpture artist himself, and when asked why he became interested in making sculptures, he "liked the whole process of working with your hands" and the "transformation of materials," he said.

Fairbanks began as an Art Gallery monitor, and then became the Exhibition Coordinator before becoming Assistant Director. "The student shows are a great opportunity and the gallery is a great source of inspiration and an entertaining learning tool," he said.

When asked what would be on the menu, Fairbanks, who was a former employee of Great Harvest, guessed at the possible appearances of cookies, scones and muffins, leaving an element of surprise for Benefit guests.

There will also be a silent action of various works including some artisan cups, according to Berti.

Featured at the Gallery during the benefit will be State of the Art 2010: National Biennial Ceramics Invitational, the 12th of its kind here at Parkland. "Curated by Illinois artist Erin Furimsky, the exhibit runs through March 30 and features the work of 10 artists," according to the event poster.

The ongoing exhibit has had "tremendous feedback," according to Fairbanks.

In respect to artist Tim Kowalczyk's realistic and detailed work, "people can't believe that it's ceramic," said Fairbanks.

"On some level (this exhibit), involves a close examination of the frequently dismissed mundane objects that surround us all," said Furimsky. More information on the show can be found at www.parkland.edu/gallery.

Benefit tickets are still available, and the goal is to sell 75, said Fairbanks. They can be purchased at the Art Gallery during business hours, the Fine and Applied Arts building (C-wing) office, or through Josh Fairbanks or Lisa Costello in office D026.

"Times are tight for the budget," said Fairbanks, "This is a good time to support the Arts." The Illinois Art Council helps support arts in Illinois and the Parkland Art Gallery, according to Fairbanks, but the gallery is looking for and also accepts private donations that help keep it a valuable community resource here.

What your $25 ticket will get you is more than a one-of-a-kind cup but also an enriching experience. From this benefit event, 100% of the proceeds will go to support the Parkland Art Gallery. Hope to see you there!