Wright State students to soar on wings of a jade butterfly at ArtsGala

One of the premier arts events in the Dayton region, ArtsGala showcases the talent of students in Wright State’s art, dance, music, motion pictures and theatre programs while raising money for scholarships.

A jade butterfly is the symbol of the 26th annual ArtsGala, Wright State University’s premier showcase of its students’ artistic talent, and for good reason.

A butterfly, particularly an artistic version made of jade, represents transformation. So as a theme, it embodies “how ArtsGala transforms the lives of our students and how their education is transforming them,” said Rebecca Foley, art gallery and events coordinator in the College of Liberal Arts.

One of the premier arts events in the Dayton region, ArtsGala showcases the talent of students in Wright State’s art, dance, music, motion pictures and theatre programs while raising money for scholarships.

ArtsGala will be held Saturday, April 5, in the Creative Arts Center on Wright State’s Dayton Campus.

Doors open at 6:30 p.m.; the opening ceremony starts at 7 p.m., showcasing some of the many facets of the School of Fine and Performing Arts.

ArtsGala tickets and more information are available at wright.edu/artsgala.

Half of the 550 students in the School of Fine and Performing Arts will participate in ArtsGala. They will sing, dance, act, draw, paint, sculpt and, above all, engage with patrons about what they do and why they are thankful for their support.

“This night, every area is represented in some way,” said Steven Aldredge, the school’s interim chair and lecturer of music. “There’ll be lots of variety. We want everyone to have something to enjoy.” The school has about 550 students, of which about half will take part in ArtsGala.

Foley, who is in her third year as ArtsGala coordinator, described the event as an established tradition.

“The support for the students is strong. This is something we’ve been able to maintain,” she said. “The School of Fine and Performing Arts is a strong program, and the community support of that is unwavering.”

That support of ArtsGala over the years has generated more than $4 million for scholarships.

“Knowing the money is going to fine and performing art students is wonderful,” said Josh Stucky, chair of the ArtsGala Host Committee and a 1989 Wright State elementary education graduate.

The money is raised through ticket sales, sponsorships and a silent auction.

Over the last 25 years, ArtsGala has raised more than $4 million for scholarships for students in the fine and performing arts.

“For this year, the silent auction is really amped up,” said Stucky, owner of Square One Salon and Spa and an adjunct faculty member in elementary education at Wright State. “There are more items than usual. More domestic travel packages. More incorporating the arts downtown for a complete night on the town.”

Besides the travel and entertainment packages, the auction includes artwork, luxury gift baskets, fine dining certificates, and high-end wine and cigars.

Among the art items up for auction are works by two fine arts students whose creations were judged by ArtsGala committee members to be tops among more than two dozen entries. They are “The Lite,” an acrylic painting by first-year fine arts major Suvekshya Maharjan, and the ceramic sculpture “Texture Non Raffinee,” a ceramic sculpture by junior fine arts major Libby Gephart. Both students will be on hand to talk about their work.

Items can be viewed online. Bidding will take place during ArtsGala and updated through text messages.

Food and beverages are aplenty, including appetizer tables and five culinary options available during student performances in themed dining rooms. The evening ends with coffee and desserts.

“ArtsGala is good for students in many ways,” said Anna Hedges, a junior vocal performance major from Trotwood who will sing a solo aria from Puccini’s Gianni Schicchi.

“It’s a great opportunity for us to collaborate with other students and faculty who you may not usually work with, in a small timeframe to put on a cohesive show. It’s good for people in the arts to know how to do that,” Hedges said. “We get to show the public and patrons what we can do, the kind of caliber of artists Wright State creates. Especially for those in charge of local arts organizations, this is the only time they would see us perform. It’s a cool networking opportunity.”