24th annual ArtsGala celebrates Wright State’s fine and performing arts students

Patrons can enjoy performances and presentations by Wright State fine and performing arts students while raising scholarship funds during ArtsGala on April 1 in the Creative Arts Center.

Wright State University’s ArtsGala, one of the region’s most festive and unique arts events, is scheduled for Saturday, April 1, with an impressive program featuring student performances in theatre, dance, motion pictures, music and visual arts.

The 7 p.m. to midnight event in the state-of-the-art Creative Arts Center is presented by the Wright State College of Liberal Arts.

ArtsGala tickets ($300 each) and information are available at 937-775-2233 or wright.edu/artsgala.

The popular black-tie-optional ArtsGala is regarded as one of the area’s premier arts events, drawing hundreds of patrons each year.

Proceeds go toward scholarships for Wright State’s outstanding fine and performing arts students. The event has raised more than $3 million for arts scholarships during its 23-year history.

Jon Blunt, owner of Luken Blunt Design Group, and Rodney Veal, creative arts completion coordinator at Sinclair Community College, said they are thrilled to have been asked to serve as the host committee chairs for ArtsGala.

“The scholarships allow access to quality education for talented students who may not otherwise be able to study the arts, which are a vital part of our community and society at large,” Blunt and Veal said. “The arts have been a big part of our lives, and we want to support a program that provides the next generation of artists with the same joy and enthusiasm we have experienced as artists and arts patrons.”

Presented by the College of Liberal Arts, ArtsGala will feature more than 400 student performers in 12 unique performances, including selections from “On the Town,” Wright State Theatre’s spring musical.

Zavi Odetta, an acting major and ArtsGala scholarship recipient, said, “Receiving this scholarship means more than you know. It means having the opportunity to continue studying the thing that brings me the most joy. It gave me the opportunity to complete my final year here at Wright State, and it allows me to give back to a community that has given so much to me.”

After graduation, Odetta will work as a teaching artist in the Cleveland Public Theatre’s Student Theatre Enrichment Program and then will move to the New Jersey/New York area in the fall.

ArtsGala celebrates its 24th year with special events designed to commemorate the occasion, including more than 400 student performers in 12 unique performances. Features this year include:

• Live artistic creations by student artists
• Orchestra and Percussion Ensemble performances
• Bella Voce!: a celebration of opera and song
• “En blanc et noir”: Student performances of chamber music and solo selections
• Burt Bacharach Celebration: A song and dance revue of Bacharach’s hits
• The Dance Experience: featuring original student choreography
• The Mystery of Twicknam Vicarage: A murder mystery experience by David Ives
• Planet MoPix Attacks!: A throwback special FX sequence that honors the 1950s science fiction
• Ring of Fire: A musical revue highlighting the music of Johnny Cash
• Selections from Wright State Theatre’s production of “On the Town”
• Top-quality wine, craft beer and bourbon
• Sports lounge

“Everyone is really ready to celebrate together this year. It is fantastic that we can continue this tradition that is so meaningful to our students and the community too,” said Rebecca Foley, art gallery and events coordinator in the College of Liberal Arts.

The ArtsGala silent auction will spotlight two original silk screen monoprints by Wright State fine art students: “Fever Dream” by Rachel Unger and “Austice” by Haley Stone.

Offering more opportunities to support student scholarships, the silent auction will feature exclusive travel and vacation packages; artwork by Wright State faculty, students and alumni; jewelry from the Elizabeth Diamond Company; the beloved wine pull; sports packages and arts experiences; premium cigars; and an assortment of luxury gift baskets, gift cards and dining certificates.

The silent auction features mobile bidding with items available both online and in the Stein Galleries during ArtsGala. Participants can view items and register to bid at artsgala23.givesmart.com.

ArtsGala will have a number of opportunities to support scholarships for fine and performing arts student including the ArtsGala silent auction.

ArtsGala’s sponsors include presenting sponsor: Morris Home Furniture; platinum sponsors: Great Oak Funding, Dayton Business Journal and Dayton Daily News; gold sponsors: Wright State University Foundation, Wright State University Hospitality Services, Think^TV and WHIO TV 7; Silver Sponsors: 91.3 WYSO, Discover Classical WDPR 88.1, Wright-Patt Credit Union and Heapy Engineering.

Success stories from Wright State students and alumni are available at wright.edu/artsgala/why-support-artsgala.