Gallery r Gala-Art-Auction at Bausch & Lomb Headquarters, March 26

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Ceramic Vase

Art patrons: You may become the proud owner of a ceramic vase, hand-dyed scarf, digital print, metal sculpture, hand-designed jewelry, a pair of black ceramic high-heeled shoes or a photograph of a vineyard in the Finger Lakes.

Rochester Institute of Technology’s student-run gallery celebrates 10 years on Park Avenue, and all ticket holders who attend the 10th annual Gallery r benefit will leave with a beautiful work of art donated by RIT friends, students, alumni and faculty—signature pieces that may be worth more than the $150 benefit ticket price. The gala auction event with emcee Norma Holland, 13 WHAM-TV news anchor, will be held at One Bausch & Lomb Place on Thursday, March 26. A reception with live music, light hors d’oeuvres, desserts and cash bar will be held from 5:30 to 7 p.m., with an art drawing scheduled from 7 to 9 p.m.

New to the benefit this year are original works of art by notable artists which will be available to the highest bidder during the live auction—including a Rochester landscape painting by Scott Small; a litho print by the late Rochester-celebrated artist Ramon Santiago in collaboration with The Great Frame Up, and a spun bronze bowl by the late renowned metal-smith Ronald Pearson, which was donated by a Rochester private collector.

Gallery r is open all year long and features contemporary art in a professional gallery setting where students meet the same challenges and expectations that confront established artists. The gallery rose to an auspicious start with more than 1,500 visitors when it opened its doors during the Park Avenue festival 10 years ago. Since then, it has built a reputation for showcasing 12 innovative exhibitions a year, provided educational opportunities, and fostered collaborations with the public, other arts institutions and community groups.

Bausch & Lomb is once again the corporate sponsor for the Gallery r Benefit—which they have generously supported for the past four years.

“The Park Avenue district is an exciting place to be,” says Sodervick, Gallery r coordinator and director of extended studies at RIT. “This is the perfect relationship between the university, the artistic community and business partners.”

“Our community-wide gala helps create awareness of RIT student and faculty art while bringing together family and friends. I love to see patrons leaving the event—carefully hugging a glass or bronze sculpture, wearing a beautiful necklace or bracelet, or admiring their newly acquired painting or print. The look on their faces says it all.”

For tickets to the Gallery r Benefit call 585-475-2733 or 585-475-5154.