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Mercyhurst University and the arts are in perfect harmony, as inseparable as music and song. Every year, the School of the Arts stages upward of 75 exhibits and performances encompassing dance, art, design, music, theatre, song, and more.  

On Oct. 1, Mercyhurst honors this grand legacy with its first ARTy Party Auction & Lottery, a vibrant gala at the Mary D’Angelo Performing Arts Center and Cummings Art Gallery dedicated to supporting the next generation of artists.

“The ARTy Party gives us cause to unite with a purpose: to fuel the dreams and aspirations of our talented students and to begin an ‘Excellence in the Arts Fund,’” said Jodi Staniunas Hopper, dean of the School of the Arts. “This fund will help senior emerging artists stage their final collegiate performances, travel to auditions and workshops, or finish their senior art/design theses. We all know everything costs more, and for students who need to travel for career opportunities, it’s expensive. Most students come into college with scholarships, but when it’s time to leave, the resources are limited. We would like to make a difference there.”

The evening’s offerings will be many and varied featuring a VIP reception, student performances, an upscale art lottery, an online auction, and basket raffle.  

Tickets will be available at two levels:

• $100 for the “VIP Experience,” which includes a reception in Cummings Art Gallery from 6:30-7:30 p.m., complete with an open bar and hors d’ oeuvres. VIP tickets will be deposited in an art lottery. Multiple winners will be chosen, giving each the opportunity to select a piece of art that will be exhibited in Cummings Gallery that night. Each piece, valued at over $350, has been contributed by a member of the Northwest Pennsylvania Artists Association. The VIP ticket also includes a Showcase student performance and clarinet trio performance from 7:30-8:30 p.m. in the Performing Arts Center.
• $20 for “Showcase Only,” which includes the showcase and clarinet trio performance.
• All guests are welcome to participate in the online auction and basket raffle. In fact, you don not even have to attend the event to place an auction bid. Beginning Sept. 13, you can view and bid on the at your leisure. Among them are classes (dance, yoga, art, etc.), services (photoshoots, portraits, memberships, etc.), Erie Zoo tickets, a handmade batik quilt, a large handcrafted ceramic frame and stand, and much more among the baskets being raffled is one from Mazza Vineyards and another from Musa Salon and Spa, a total of 21 in all.
• All guests are welcome to purchase a $10 Grand Prize ticket the night of the event for a three-night stay at the four-star Massanutten Resort in Virginia.

“People have been really supportive and very generous,” said Staniunas Hopper, who started working on the project last October. “On behalf of the 272 arts students, the 25 full and part-time arts faculty and staff members, and our many adjunct and contract arts instructors who comprise the School of the Arts, I invite you to make this an unforgettable night where art, passion, and support come together.”

Event tickets can be purchased online. Questions may be directed to Jodi Staniunas Hopper at jstaniunashopper@mercyhurst.edu.

PHOTO: This mosaic frame and wrought iron easel measures 24" tall by about 18" wide—perfect for your 11 x 14 picture. The frame is created from ceramic pieces from Jessica Stadtmueller and the Mercyhurst Ceramics Studio and assembled by Jodi Staniunas Hopper. Check out these and many more auction items.