A new exhibit at the Brickton Art Center in Park Ridge will help fund a novel scholarship for young, local artists.
Some of the proceeds from the organization’s seventh annual Benefit Art Exhibition and Auction will establish a $500 emerging artist scholarship for one Maine Township District 207 student. About 100 pieces were created by area artists, including 60 from Maine East and Maine South high school students.
“We weren’t sure if (the students) were going to take it seriously, but it goes to show they are. We are really happy with the turnout,” said Alyssa Kulak-Harris, the center’s executive director.
The exhibit will open Nov. 18 with a preview party at 306 Busse Highway and runs through Dec. 10. People can bid on the art online but can only make an offer for the 5-by-5 inch square canvas pieces created by the students in the center.
(PHOTOS: Students learn ins and outs of curating.)
The starting bid for the students’ work will be $25, but each piece can be instantly purchased for $50.
Scholarships for young artists have been offered by the nonprofit center in the past, but funding sources recently dried up, Kulak-Harris said, prompting the organization to create its own grant. Brickton’s employees spread the word to various Maine Township High School District 207 art teachers, who passed the news on to their students.
Besides helping financially, Brickton also wanted to give the teens some hands-on experience with curating and galleries so they asked the students to stop by and hang their work. Nearly a dozen students patched and painted portions of the walls this week before placing the art in the front lobby.
“It’s a part of the process,” said Kristin Haas, director of exhibitions, of the prep work. “You want the way its hung to be important as the piece itself.”
Afterward, students agreed they learned a lot for their future careers. Some have had their work highlighted at the center’s annual May exhibit for District 207 students, but teachers typically hang the pieces, they said.
“If maybe one day I’m going to have my own art show, I’ll know how to hang my own art,” said 16-year-old Ira Talanchuk. “It’s a good skill for the future.”
Added 16-year-old Katie Brehmer, “It’s just nice having your art work in a show.”
The scholarship winner will be announced during the closing night gala on Dec. 10 and the money can be used to further creative studies, which includes purchasing art supplies, fees for art classes and college tuition among other things.
