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Students of St. Jude School in Wright Township are looking toward their future through stained glass windows. Well, actually, the students from Pre-K through eighth grade, made the stained glass windows as part of an art project.
But the response and proceeds from that project will help keep the arts alive at the school.
A “trip” to the Kentucky Derby can guarantee that St. Jude School students will enjoy many more years of keeping the arts alive through the Artist in Residency Program, which invites artists in various mediums to provide instruction at the school for 20 days each spring.
A Kentucky Derby Gala Art Auction will be held at the school in Wright Township on Saturday, April 11. Art preview is at 6 p.m. followed by the auction at 7 p.m. Babysitting services will be available for a minimal fee; child must be potty-trained.
“So many times, the art program is usually the first to be cut at a school,” said Nichole Josefowicz, chairman of the auction committee and a parent with two students attending the school. “Our art program is important to us here.”
The 17 windows made by students as well as a variety of artwork purchased from Marlin, a Long Island, New York, company, which provides original photos, paintings and watercolors, will be on the auction block at the school. Seven of the students’ works will be framed by Marlin to be sold. Marlin’s works for sale include Van Goghs and Rembrandts.
“The feedback we’ve gotten from the event is that the artwork is in the affordable price range,” Josefowicz said. “So many of the people attending came and didn’t plan on leaving with some artwork in their hand, but did, because it was so affordable.”
According to Linda Johnson, art instructor, each class creates an original artwork to be auctioned off each year.
“The children enjoyed making the stained glass so much,” she said. “They’re proud and want to show it off.”
Each year the committee selects a theme on which to base the celebration. The Kentucky Derby was selected this year as the event is May 2. Past themes included Mardis Gras and the Red Carpet.
The event includes derby fare, like mint juleps, bourbon cheesecake and Brunswick stew, made by committee members. And what derby event would be complete without hats? A special hat contest will judge the best head accessory.
MM Micro Winery, Wilkes-Barre, will host wine sampling. Bluegrass group The Mud Pond Boys will provide entertainment.
Graphic illustrator John Stanisci, who has been an illustrator for DC Comics and Marvel for 18 years, will sign artwork. He has worked on Spiderman, The Hulk, Batman, Catwoman, Superman, and most recently Batman Beyond.
This year’s artist in residency guest was Theo Lencicki, a Broadway performer. The residency program usually culminates in a performance or showing of the guest’s work with the students. A video of Lencicki’s performance at the school will be shown at the auction during the one-hour preview of the artwork.
Past artists were involved in painting, weaving and pottery making. “Our children are exposed to all sorts of art through these professional artists,” said Jane Rossi, principal.
The Artist in Residency program is a joint effort of the NEIU 19, the St. Jude School Parent Teacher Guild and the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts
“The art auction is really a nice evening out for the whole family,” Josefowicz said, noting that 200 people attended last year’s event. “It’s been so well-received on the mountain.”