HOW TO GO
What: ArtsGala sponsored by the WSU College of Liberal Arts
When: 6:30 p.m. to midnight April 6
Where: WSU Creative Arts Center, 3640 Colonel Glenn Highway, Fairborn
Cost: Tickets price — $200. Deadline to purchase tickets is April 1.
More info/buy tickets: Call (937) 775-5512 or go online to www.wright.edu/artsgala
Attendees at the Wright State University ArtsGala on April 6 will find themselves cocooned in a magical world of music, theater and the arts as they move from one area to the next.
The university’s Creative Arts Center will be set up to let people sample unique appetizers, sip fine wines and meet young artists happy to display their talents to the public.
The ArtsGala was started 13 years ago by the WSU College of Liberal Arts as means to showcase student talent and to raise money for arts scholarships. More than $14 million has been raised to date.
“Our patrons love this event,” said Jennie Buckwalter, assistant director for the College of Liberal Arts. “They get to move from space to space experiencing a high level of talent and even have an opportunity to interact directly with some of the artists at work.”
Throughout the evening, students will be performing selections from operas and musicals on stages located in the Creative Arts Center. Performances by the symphony, chamber orchestra will also be featured along with student-created film clips showing on screens located throughout the Center.
Sports-minded patrons are welcome to stop by the NCAA cigar and sports lounge, or visit the new nonsmoking sports lounge to watch live televised sports events such as the NCAA Final Four basketball tournament being held that night.
Although more than 600 people attend the formal/black-tie optional event annually, crowds are rarely a problem because of the numerous performances and activities located throughout the sprawling complex.
“People are always on the move enjoying the performances, or the silent auction where they can bid on more than 150 items like fine wines and dining certificates, entertainment packages that include tickets to performances and unique one-of-kind artwork created by Wright State faculty and students,” said Buckwalter, who has been in charge of the event for eight years. “This year we’ve also added a dedicated dance floor, because in the past our patrons really enjoyed the smaller area we had available in the jazz area.”
During the event, attendees have the unique opportunity to approach artists at work in a studio environment and initiate conversation. Students are able to explain techniques used and answer questions directly.
One of those students is senior vocal performance major Kylene Griffiths, who grew up in Miamisburg. “It’s a huge opportunity to get your face out there in front of all those people,” said Griffiths.
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