News items

Seventh annual Vassar Haiti Project art auction and sale

ARLINGTON (April 7) - Last month, nine representatives of the Vassar Haiti Project delivered to mountainous Chermaitre, Haiti, more than 5,000 items donated by individuals, organizations, and businesses from throughout the Hudson Valley. Contributions included 175 toothbrushes from Donna and Andrew Trimboli, 200 calculators from John Dux of IBM, a dozen soccer balls from Golds Gym, to a large assortment of artist supplies from Catskill Art Supply, and a large quantity of school supplies from the children of Trinity Episcopal Church in Fishkill.

Founded in 2001, the Vassar Haiti Project's efforts have largely centered around an annual benefit sale and auction of Haitian paintings and handcrafts -- to provide financial support to Chermaitre, and a market for Haitian artists (the next exhibition, sale, and auction will be held at Vassar College from Monday, April 7, through Sunday, April 13).

For Chermaitre, the project's earliest goal was to help pay for a hot daily meal for approximately 150 school children, and to supplement teachers salaries. The initiative proved to resonate so strongly on the Vassar campus and in the larger community, that by 2005 the Vassar Haiti Project was able to begin setting funds aside for the construction of a new seven room school, to replace the villages one-room, windowless, dirt-floored building. To date, over $250,000 has been raised.

As in past years, the seventh annual Haitian Art Auction and Sale will kick off with an on-campus preview of paintings to be featured in the live auction, beginning on Monday, April 7, in Vassars Palmer Gallery. Sales of artwork will begin Friday, April 11, and run through Sunday, April 13 in the College Centers Multipurpose Room. The live auction for a select group of paintings will be held on Saturday, April 12. All events are free and open to the public (and further details on time and location are below).

More than 300 original Haitian paintings, handcraft, hand painted silk scarves, and iron sculptures will be offered at this years auction and sale, including works by Arijac, Carlo Jean Jacques, Seymour Bottex, Jolicoeur, Jean-Louis Senatus, Andre Blaise, Raymond Lafaille, Pierre Maxo, and Joseph Aderson. The majority of the items come from leading artists, gallery owners, and art dealers in Haiti, and the remainder is donations to the project, including from four estates.

Auction Viewing
James W. Palmer Gallery, College Center
April 7-9: 11:00am - 7:00pm

Sale of Haitian Art and Handicrafts
Multipurpose Room, College Center
April 11: 12:00pm-7:00pm
April 12: 10:00pm-4:00pm
April 13: 10:00am-2:00pm

Live Auction of Haitian Art
Multipurpose Room, College Center
Saturday, April 12
Registration and preview: 2:00pm-4:00pm
Live auction: 4:00pm 6:00pm
*Absentee and telephone bidding will be accepted via cellular phone (845-235-9967)

A Change of Art: 4th Annual SUNY Orange Student Art Show

MIDDLETOWN - One hundred-sixty works in many different media by students at SUNY Orange will be on display on both the main floor as well as the loft galleries in Orange Hall Galleries. Orange Hall is universally accessible and located at the corner of Wawayanda and Grandview Avenues, Middletown.  The exhibit and reception are free and open to the public.

 Reception: Thursday, April 10, 2008   3-5pm

Exhibit:

Orange Hall Galleries

Mon.-Thurs. 9am-8pm; Fri. 9am-6pm; also Friday, April 25  9am to 9:30pm

In addition, Saturdays, April 5  1:30- 8pm and April 12 1:30-3pm and Sunday, April 6  2:30-4pm.

The show is organized by Art and Art History Instructor Susan Slater-Tanner.  [Please see attachment.]

This show is presented in cooperation with Cultural Affairs (845)341-4891 and cultural@sunyorange.edu    webpage:  www.sunyorange.edu/lyceum

Coleman High School students take on big challenge with Lés Mis

HURLEY - Lés Miserables, based on the classic novel of redemption and social commentary, by Victor Hugo, and set in early 19th Century France, is the spring production at John A. Coleman High School.

The cast was invited to perform in the lobby of the Ulster County Administration Building prior to the monthly County Legislature session last week, and also performed two numbers in the legislative chambers.  They also received a “Pride of Ulster County” award.

Director Lisë Hopson, who chose the production, said it is providing an opportunity for not only the cast, but the student body, to look at a fascinating time in history.

Performances are at 7:30 Friday and Saturday, April 4th, 5th, 11th and 12th, with Sunday matinees at 3:00 on the 6th and 13.

Contact the school, at 338-2750, for tickets, or buy them at the door.

The tradition of performances by area high school musicians, at county legislature meetings, was started by Legislature Chairman David Donaldson, a music aficionado, two years ago.  One thing new this year are extended performances, in the administration building lobby, before each monthly legislature session.

The Coleman students wre the first to perform in the lobby.