PNCA’s 8th Annual Gala “Constellation of Creativity” Soars Beyond Forecasted Goals

Release date: 05/10/10

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

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

Ann Hudner, VP of Communications and Public Programs
Pacific Northwest College of Art
ahudner@pnca.edu 971 255 5518

PNCA’s 8th Annual Gala “Constellation of Creativity” Soars Beyond Forecasted Goals

PORTLAND, OR—May 10, 2010—On Saturday, May 8, Pacific Northwest College of Art (PNCA) held its 8th annual Gala, coined by Portland Monthly as the “swingingest art party in Portland!” PNCA’s Constellation of Creativity raised $385,000, far surpassing the College’s anticipated goal of $300,000. Together with the College’s recent Benefit Art Auction with Bonhams and Butterfields, this year PNCA raised more than a half million dollars. The Centennial Campaign for PNCA+FIVE, a $32 million effort to raise funds for PNCA’s main campus building, endowment funds, scholarships and special projects is anticipated to end successfully by June 30, the close of the College’s current fiscal year. The Campaign was launched in January 2004 and was strengthened by the late Hallie Ford whose gift of $15 million in 2007 established PNCA’s Ford Institute of Visual Education (FIVE).

Dorothy Lemelson and Carol Smith-Larson, both longtime and dedicated supporters of the College, served as Honorary Co-Chairs. Visionary Sponsors for PNCA’s Constellation of Creativity included: Dorothy Lemelson, Georgia Leupold-Marshall, Maybelle Clark Macdonald Fund, Al Solheim, AWS Real Estate and ZGF. Further support was provided by Luminary Sponsors Kathleen Lewis and US Bank, and Studio Circle sponsors included Boora Architects, First Independent Wealth Management, Peraim and Kartar Khalsa, Selby & Douglas Key, LAIKA, Douglas Macy, and Miller Nash. Other sponsors included The Boeing Company and Wieden+ Kennedy.

Event co-chairs were PNCA board members Jason Saunders and David Savinar, and Museum of Contemporary Craft board member Georgia Erdenberger. A host committee of more than 70 community members was involved in planning. Kimberly Howard, trust manager for Oregon Cultural Trust, served as mistress of ceremonies.

A highlight of the evening was the announcement that Dorothy Lemelson, longtime PNCA benefactor and chairman of the Lemelson Foundation, will provide in her estate plans two major gifts to the College. She founded the Lemelson Foundation with her husband, Jerry, one of the world’s most prolific inventors.

“PNCA is indeed fortunate to have visionary women like Dolly Lemelson among our key supporters. Just as Hallie Ford’s gift is transforming the future of the College – and the City – Dolly’s philanthropy looks forward, and embodies her commitment to nurturing future generations of artists, innovators, and thinkers,” said Tom Manley, PNCA president.

“Thanks to Dolly’s remarkable generosity, the College is now well-positioned to meet our campaign goals within the coming weeks,” added Manley.

PNCA’s Constellation of Creativity featured site-specific art and light installations by PNCA student artists and reflected the evening’s theme—PNCA’s extensive presence throughout the city of Portland through its satellite art galleries, studio spaces, and the Museum of Contemporary Craft make up a constellation of creativity.

Students in the Master of Fine Arts in Applied Craft & Design program, which is offered jointly by PNCA and Oregon College of Art and Craft, created a custom bar, cloud installations, and mobile lighting and structures. The 2010 PNCA Gala was the first official large public event at The Leftbank Annex, Portland’s new premier event location. The event included many of Portland’s finest creative minds, including Lee Kelley ’59, chair of the Centennial Campaign for PNCA+FIVE, Brad Cloepfil, Lisa Strausfeld, Malia Jensen ’89, Elizabeth Leach, Thomas Lauderdale, and Lucinda Parker ’66 along with special guests Congressman Earl Blumenauer; Oregon State Treasurer Ted Wheeler; Nick Fish, Commissioner, City of Portland, who also sits on the Oregon Cultural Trust board; and David Bragdon, Metro Council President.

More than 375 guests enjoyed signature cocktails, interactive video footage of students making art, a delicious meal by renowned chef Larry Grimes of Art of Catering, and signature wine pairings donated by local vineyards including Rex Hill and Carabella Vineyard. Entertainment was provided by the Blue Cranes and dancing to soul music by DJ Drew Groove.

About PNCA
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. With the recent addition of FIVE: the Ford Institute for Visual Education, the College is enhanced through visiting artists, representing the most accomplished artists, designers, and creative thinkers from around the world. The innovative programs of PNCA+FIVE serve as an incubator for new programming at the College and establish collaborative relationships between students, international artists and the region’s vital art, design and business communities. The College offers Bachelor of Fine Arts degrees in Communication Design, General Fine Arts, Illustration, Intermedia, Painting, Photography, Printmaking and Sculpture. PNCA is the only school of art in the Pacific Northwest to offer graduate education in art and design, now offering two MFA programs. The first, an MFA in Visual Studies and the second, an MFA in Applied Craft and Design, was developed in collaboration with the Oregon College of Art and Craft. For more information on PNCA’s Public Programming, visit www.pnca.edu.