The third annual ARTS By George! will be held on September 27 at George Mason University’s Center for the Arts (CFA). The event supports student scholarships at the College of Visual and Performing Arts, as well as the CFA Great Performances at Mason series. Organized by an energetic core of volunteers and staff members. ARTS By George! is co-chaired by Fairfax Station residents Shirley and Charles Joyce, whose dedication to the arts is well-known in the community. The sponsorship chairs are Carolyn Peterson, Enrique Tessada, and Julie Dyson. The Steering Committee includes Robert C. Buchanan, Don and Tota Conwell, Richard Henneberg, Don and Sonja Palomaki, Robert Purks, Candy Reeder, Carole Scanlon, Sue Skaddan, and Judy Weltz.
This group of art aficionados, who have worked together for many months, had one overriding goal: introducing the College of Visual and Performing Arts to the community. Although audiences in Northern Virginia are devoted to the Center for the Arts, many are less familiar with Mason’s dynamic student productions. Guided by a dedicated, gifted faculty, CVPA students routinely give brilliant presentations at impressive recitals, plays, concerts, operas, and gallery shows.
Guests who previously have attended ARTS By George! anticipate a celebration of exceptional artistry. The format of the evening is unique. When guests arrive at the university’s Fairfax campus in the late afternoon, they are ushered to reserved parking, greeted by Mason Student Ambassadors, serenaded by musicians, and escorted to the Performing Arts Plaza. There, they enter different studios in the Performing Arts Building, viewing “behind-the-scene” artistic presentations by Mason’s outstanding students. Along the way, hungry guests eat their fill of delicacies prepared and graciously served by RSVP Catering.
The visual arts will be showcased at every venue, in the Welcome Tent, along the hallways of the Performing Arts building, and in the Concert Hall’s lobby. The exhibit presents an extensive display of original paintings, prints, photographs, drawings, and sculptures by students and faculty. The Art and Visual Technology (AVT) Department chair Harold Lnton explains that printmaking for collectors receives special emphasis in the AVT Show, which he describes as “masterfully curated by Solomon Wondimu.” In Linton’s opinion, it provides a perfect opportunity for art lovers to build their collections and contribute to scholarship funds.
A new feature has been added to ARTS By George! Committee members Sue Skaddan and Bob Purks, along with Nyla Louh, CVPA’s Assistant Director of Development, have orchestrated an unusual silent auction. Visitors can bid on premiums while strolling from one student performance to another or they can view them and bid online. What kinds of items are offered at the ABG! silent auction? Consider these: A week’s vacation at an exclusive condo in North Carolina; a Chilean wine-tasting and tapas buffet for ten; private gallery tours with artists Chawky Frenn in Washington and Peter Winant in New York City; a behind-the-scene tour and luncheon with members of the Dance Department; an hour-long lesson on conducting with Professor Anthony Maiello; courtside seats at a GMU men’s hoops game and a basketball signed by Coach Jim Larranaga. The entire list is a bidder’s dream!
At 8 o’clock, ARTS By George! participants will settle into premier orchestra seats at Mason’s imposing Concert Hall to enjoy a performance by baritone Brian Stokes Mitchell. Described by The New York Times as “the last leading man,” Mitchell has performed with many of the world’s foremost classical conductors and their orchestras, including Leonard Slatkin, John Williams, and Michael Tilson Thomas. He has starred in performances of works such as Porgy and Bess, Man of La Mancha, South Pacific, Carnival, Kismet, and Ragtime. Awarded a Tony for Kiss Me Kate, he has received several Tony nominations, a Helen Hayes Award, and a Theater World Award. In addition, he has acted on TV shows such as Crossing Jordan, Frasier, and Trapper John, M.D. What versatility! The Washington Post commented that Mitchell is “a talented musician and an engaging personality, but his rarest gift is for knocking show tunes over the moon.” His admirers are awaiting his fabulous renditions of Embraceable You, They Can’t Take That Away From Me, and The Impossible Dream.
The performance will be followed by a champagne and chocolate reception, saluting the end to a memorable celebration. Mitchell will join the guests, and many of Virginia’s elected officials will also attend the on-stage reception. Fairfax resident Carole Scanlon, who has assembled a star-studded Honorary Committee, which features Governor Timothy Kaine as the 2008 Honorary Chair. In addition, Mason’s own stars, President Alan Merten, former President George Johnson, and Coach Larranaga, will assuredly please the crowd of their faithful fans.
ARTS By George! is an unforgettable evening. Participants meet the students and their teachers, savor a delectable meal, watch impressive student performances, and enjoy Brian Stokes Mitchell’s beautiful baritone. But most important of all, guests support the scholarship fund for talented young dancers, singers, musicians, dramatists, film-makers, visual artists, and arts managers – or support the Center for the Arts program, which benefits everybody in our region. For more information or to buy tickets, visit the Web site (www.artsbygeorge.com) or call Deborah Paez (703.993.4188).
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