Fundraiser where guests get to be the artists

The Interurban Center for the Arts is excited to host its fourth annual fundraiser, Be Artful, on Thursday, February 23 (6 – 10 PM) at Green River Community College’s Lindbloom Student Center (Auburn campus, 12401 SE 320th St., Auburn, WA 98092). All proceeds from this fun-filled event will raise money to elevate art education in local elementary schools.

Guests will come together to create their own masterpiece while enjoying signature bites, a silent auction and live music from Root5, a local Americana band. Participants can join two of three distinctive art activities. The events featured artist, Wen Qian, will lead a painting project using coffee. A sample is pictured below. Artist Alice Kares will lead a project using alcohol inks, and artist Miranda Ward will lead a painting project using wine and oil pastels.

Kent Event: Interurban Center for the Arts to Host “Be Artful” Feb. 23 to Support Art Docent Programs in Local Schools
Painting by Wen Qian

“Art is a language.  I use form and color instead of letters and numbers to communicate,” said featured artist Wen Qian. “Every piece has its own story, and the beautiful part is each and every one of us perceives the story differently. Each person connects to the artist at various levels while looking at artwork. I communicate with the viewer by sharing my stories which show how I perceive the world.”

Previously called Painting with the Stars, this year’s event has a fresh new feel with the guests becoming the artists, thus the name change – Be Artful.

“The Green River College Foundation is proud to make a difference in a child’s education by putting dedicated and caring adults into the lives of young children. The ICA feels that all children should have the opportunity to perceive and imagine art. In our efforts as an organization and college, our mission is to level the playing field by providing excellence in education,” said Monica Tolas, ICA program director.

Kent Event: Interurban Center for the Arts to Host “Be Artful” Feb. 23 to Support Art Docent Programs in Local Schools
Painting by Alice Kares

Tickets for Be Artful are available online for $25 per person or $40 for two people. Guests must be 21 or older to participate. Casual attire is appropriate for those who want to create their own art.

For more information about Be Artful, contact Monica Tolas at 253-833-9111 ext. 2735 or via email at ica@greenriver.edu. To buy tickets online, visit http://tinyurl.com/beartful2017.

About the Interurban Center for the Arts

The ICA is a non-profit organization dedicated to providing local elementary school age children with arts education. The ICA has been an outreach program funded and supported by the Green River College Foundation for 32 years. Currently, the ICA supports 35 elementary schools in eight school districts, including 15 schools in the Kent School District. The ICA provides support to 500 adult volunteers who, in turn, bring monthly art lessons to nearly 17,000 elementary age school children. Better Education Through Art.

Dana Neuts

I am a full-time freelance writer, editor, marketing pro and the publisher of iLoveKent.net.

2 replies on “Interurban Center for the Arts to Host “Be Artful” Feb. 23 to Support Art Docent Programs”