Successful Benefit Art Auction Raises $130,000 for PNCA Student Scholarships

Release date: 02/23/11

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 23, 2011

CONTACT:
Leslie Miller, External Relations Specialist
Pacific Northwest College of Art
lmiller@pnca.edu 503-821-8959

Becca Biggs, Director of Communications
Pacific Northwest College of Art
bbiggs@pnca.edu 503-821-8892

Successful Benefit Art Auction Raises $130,000 for PNCA Student Scholarships

Portland, OR—February 23, 2011—Pacific Northwest College of Art is pleased to announce that the third annual Benefit Art Auction with Bonhams & Butterfields at The Nines Hotel raised $130,000 for student scholarships at PNCA.

Under the leadership of Honorary Chair Jordan D. Schnitzer and Auction Committee co-chairs Elizabeth Leach and Kathleen Lewis, an impressive group of pieces were auctioned to raise funds to support students at PNCA. More than 85% of the College’s 600-plus students receive financial aid.

Internationally renowned auctioneer Malcolm Barber, CEO of Bonhams & Butterfields, led the auction, which included pieces by James Lavadour, Donald Sultan, Judy Pfaff, Lee Kelly ’59 and Malia Jensen ’89, among others. The auction offerings also included a piece donated by the late Ed Cauduro, a longtime friend of the College who was committed to making scholarship support available to young artists through his establishment of a $1 million endowed fund through the Oregon Community Foundation.

In memory of arts supporter and gallery owner Laura Russo, six artists represented by Laura Russo Gallery donated personal works, the proceeds of which will go toward the Laura Russo Scholarship at PNCA.

Members of the 2011 Benefit Art Auction Committee are: Elizabeth Leach, Co-Chair, Kathleen Lewis, Co-Chair, Sheryl Acheson, Mary Lee Boklund, Tori Bryer, Susanne Hashim, Wendy Wells Jackson, and Selby Key.

“Scholarships make a real difference in the lives of students,” said co-chair Kathleen Lewis, who also chairs the PNCA Development Committee.

Elizabeth Leach, owner of the Elizabeth Leach Gallery, agreed. “Scholarships often are the deciding factor in a talented student choosing PNCA – and Portland – over other areas of the country, and we are committed to doing all we can to develop local talent.”

PNCA is also grateful to the following for their support of this event: Laura King Pfaff, Chairman of Bonhams & Butterfields, San Francisco; Fred Kleisner, General Manager of The Nines Hotel; Chris Erickson, General Manager of The Heathman Hotel; Robert Ames, Board of Directors, Bonhams & Butterfields; Al Solheim, Chairman of the Board of PNCA; Dan Kvitka, Dan Kvitka Photography; and Todd Putnam, Framing Resource.

About Pacific Northwest College of Art


Since its founding in 1909, Pacific Northwest College of Art (PNCA) has become a leader in innovative educational programs that connect students to a global perspective in the visual arts and design. In addition to its nine Bachelor of Fine Arts degrees, PNCA offers graduate education with an MFA in Visual Studies and an MFA in Collaborative Design, as well as an MFA in Applied Craft and Design developed in collaboration with the Oregon College of Art and Craft.

PNCA is actively involved in Portland’s cultural life through exhibitions and a vibrant public program of lectures and internationally recognized visiting artists, designers and creative thinkers. With the support of PNCA+FIVE (Ford Institute for Visual Education), the College has a partnership with the nationally acclaimed Museum of Contemporary Craft. For more information, visit www.pnca.edu