Event supports art in schools
Published 9:29 pm Thursday, February 26, 2015
Some of Suffolk’s most talented students will perform music from a dozen Broadway classics next week, when the Suffolk Education Foundation hosts a special celebration supporting fine arts programs in public schools.
Tom Shirk, who teaches welding at The Pruden Center, sits on a peacock chair his students created. He holds another student creation, an ornamental iron butterfly, which will be raffled during next week’s Masquerade: A Gala in Celebration of the Fine Arts.
“Masquerade: A Gala in Celebration of the Fine Arts,” is the fruit of a brainstorming session by the foundation board, said Jennifer Schmack, its president.
The theme evolved from the originally suggested theme of Phantom of the Opera, she said. The program features several tunes from the famous Andrew Lloyd Webber musical, and folks are asked to attend the fundraiser wearing a masquerade mask.
Those who come without their own mask, Schmack said, can purchase one — another way the event will raise money for arts in schools. They’ve been ordered in from New Orleans, she said, adding, “I started getting excited when we actually got some of the masks in.”
The event will be held in the ballroom at Suffolk’s Hilton Garden Inn Riverfront Constance Road on Tuesday. It starts at 5:30 p.m., with cocktails and a VIP reception with cash bar.
Teachers will perform the music, Schmack said, which includes vocal and instrumental selections. “It will be a sit-down dinner, and the show will actually happen while they’re eating,” she said.
Also in keeping with its theme, the event will involve a showcase of 50 masks handcrafted by students and art teachers. Folks will be able to purchase tickets to vote for their favorites.
“We will have a photo booth, where (folks) can take pictures of their masks,” Schmack said.
An ornamental iron butterfly created by high school welding students at The Pruden Center for Industry and Technology in support of the event will be raffled during the evening.
According to Suffolk Public Schools Public Information Officer Bethanne Bradshaw, the student masks showcase should be impressive. “We are expecting those table displays will line the whole length of the ballroom,” she said.
“It’s just another fun way to raise money and pull this theme together,” Bradshaw added of the opportunity for folks to cast votes for their favorite masks.
Tickets for the event, $35 each or $60 per couple, are selling fast. Folks yet to place an order are advised to do so as soon as possible this week. Contact suffolkgala@gmail.com or call 925-6752.
